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A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
Patient-reported outcomes are worse for progressive-onset multiple sclerosis than relapse-onset multiple sclerosis,
Y Zhang1, B V Taylor1, S Simpson1,2
1Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
Background And Purpose:
Treatments for progressive-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) are lacking. To improve the disease management for progressive-onset MS, the differences between relapse-onset MS and progressive-onset MS in patient-reported disability, progression and symptoms were examined.
Methods:
A total of 1985 participants of the Australian Multiple Sclerosis Longitudinal Study were included. Associations between onset type and outcomes were assessed with negative binomial regression.
Results:
The severity of 17 of the 19 outcomes was significantly higher for progressive-onset MS patients than relapse-onset MS patients, including perspectives from disability, progression over the last year, fatigue, sensory, walking difficulties, pain, balance, spasticity, sexual dysfunction, bladder, bowel, anxiety, depression and the European quality of life (EQ-5D) (P < 0.05; adjusted mean ratio ranged from 1.11 to 1.52). The differences between the two onset types were most pronounced early in the disease process and reduced with increasing MS duration, and the interaction was significant for disability, progression over the last year, walking difficulties, bladder problems, bowel problems and spasticity.
Conclusion:
Participants with progressive-onset MS were significantly worse off on nearly all patient-reported outcomes than relapse-onset MS participants, and the differences were most pronounced early in the disease course, highlighting the importance of early intervention for those with progressive-onset MS.
Insights
Progressive-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) patients report worse outcomes than relapse-onset MS patients, especially early in the disease. Early intervention is crucial for managing progressive MS symptoms and disability.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Research
- Patient-Reported Outcomes
Background:
- Effective treatments for progressive-onset multiple sclerosis (MS) remain limited.
- Understanding differences between progressive-onset MS and relapse-onset MS is vital for improved disease management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare patient-reported disability, progression, and symptoms between progressive-onset MS and relapse-onset MS.
- To identify key differences that can inform clinical management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 1985 participants in the Australian Multiple Sclerosis Longitudinal Study.
- Utilized negative binomial regression to assess associations between MS onset type and patient-reported outcomes.
Main Results:
- Progressive-onset MS patients reported significantly higher severity for 17 of 19 outcomes compared to relapse-onset MS patients (P < 0.05).
- Key affected areas included disability, fatigue, walking difficulties, pain, spasticity, and quality of life (EQ-5D).
- Differences were most pronounced early in the disease and diminished with longer disease duration.
Conclusions:
- Progressive-onset MS is associated with worse patient-reported outcomes across most domains compared to relapse-onset MS.
- The pronounced differences early in the disease course underscore the critical need for timely and targeted interventions for progressive MS.
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