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[Clinical and demographic aspects of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis in Argentina]
Jimena Miguez1, Marina Alonso Serena2, Agustín Pappolla1
1Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Abstract:
The objective of the study was to describe the clinical and demographic aspects of patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) included in the Argentine MS Registry (RelevarEM, Clinical Trials registry number 03375177). RelevarEM is a longitudinal, strictly observational registry of patients with MS and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Clinical and demographic aspects were described in patients with SPMS and compared with relapsing remitting MS patients (RRMS). A total of 1723 patients with MS were included (1605, 93.2% RRMS and 118, 6.8%, SPMS). In SPMS, the median age was 53 (inter quartile range [IQR] 47-62) years, 67% were women, median disease duration of 19.5 (IQR 14-26) years, median EDSS (expanded disability status scale) 6.5 and 48.3% were under treatment for their MS. Only 23.7% of patients with SPMS were actively working and 86% had a disability certificate; 35.6% of patients with SPMS presented new lesions in MRI and 5% had clinical relapses during the past 12 months of the registry entry showing a significantly lower disease activity compared with RRMS (p < 0.01).
Insights
Patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) in Argentina show significant disability and lower disease activity compared to relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients. This study highlights the clinical profile of SPMS within the RelevarEM registry.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Research
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) encompasses various forms, including secondary progressive MS (SPMS) and relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).
- Understanding the clinical and demographic characteristics of SPMS is crucial for patient management and registry development.
- The Argentine MS Registry (RelevarEM) provides a platform for longitudinal data collection on MS and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate the clinical and demographic features of patients diagnosed with SPMS.
- To compare these characteristics with those of patients diagnosed with RRMS.
- To analyze disease activity markers in SPMS patients within the RelevarEM registry.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive, observational study utilizing data from the RelevarEM registry.
- Inclusion of 1723 MS patients, with a focus on 118 SPMS patients and comparison with 1605 RRMS patients.
- Analysis of demographic data, disease duration, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, treatment status, employment, disability certification, MRI lesion activity, and clinical relapses.
Main Results:
- SPMS patients had a median age of 53 years, 67% were women, and had a median disease duration of 19.5 years with a median EDSS of 6.5.
- Nearly half (48.3%) of SPMS patients were on MS treatment, with only 23.7% actively working and 86% holding a disability certificate.
- SPMS patients exhibited significantly lower disease activity compared to RRMS patients, evidenced by 35.6% with new MRI lesions and 5% experiencing clinical relapses in the past year (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- The study characterizes SPMS patients in Argentina as significantly disabled, with a substantial portion on treatment but with limited workforce participation.
- SPMS patients in the registry demonstrated lower disease activity markers (MRI lesions, relapses) compared to RRMS patients.
- These findings underscore the distinct clinical profile of SPMS and its impact on patients' lives within the Argentine healthcare context.
