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Updated: Feb 7, 2026
11:35
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test MSPT: An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
58.8K
Predicting the profile of increasing disability in multiple sclerosis
Valentina Tomassini1, Fulvia Fanelli2, Luca Prosperini3
1Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University and University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|August 3, 2018
Summary
Early recognition of multiple sclerosis (MS) progression is key. High relapse rates predict worsening with disease activity, while older age predicts worsening without activity, aiding patient management.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Research
- Disease Progression
Background:
- Effective multiple sclerosis (MS) management requires understanding individual disease trajectories.
- Early identification of functional decline and progression is crucial for timely therapeutic intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define disability evolution profiles in relapsing MS patients.
- To identify early predictors of disability progression.
- To develop a risk score for increased disability.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of demographic, clinical, and MRI data from 542 relapsing MS patients.
- Follow-up duration of at least 2 years.
- Definition of 'increasing disability' as reaching an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of 6.0, with 'disease activity' defined by relapses and/or MRI findings.
Main Results:
- 63.5% of patients reached EDSS ≥ 6.0; 64.0% of these showed disease activity.
- Pre-EDSS 3.0-4.0 relapse count predicted progression in patients with activity.
- Age > 45 at baseline predicted progression in patients without activity.
- Combined age and relapse count increased risk and shortened time to EDSS 6.0.
Conclusions:
- Persistent disease activity is often linked to increasing disability.
- High relapse frequency identifies patients likely to worsen with activity.
- Age is a predictor of progression in the absence of activity.
- The combination of age and relapses significantly elevates the risk of severe disability.
- Findings aid in patient stratification for progressive MS clinical trials.
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