Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Spinal Cord Lesions in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Saskatchewan, Canada

Spinal cord lesions (SCLs) contribute to disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Data in Saskatchewan, Canada, concerning SCLs and their association with disability levels in patients with MS are lacking. The study objectives were to identify clinicodemographic profiles of patients with MS with respect to spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) involvement; determine the frequency of individuals with MRI SCLs; and explore differences between patients with MS with and without SCLs with respect to disability and disease-modifying therapy status.

A monocentric, cross-sectional, retrospective review of prospectively collected data from 532 research-consented patients seen at Saskatoon MS Clinic was performed. Data were collected from a database and electronic medical records.

Of the 356 patients (66.9%) with an SCL, 180 (50.6%) had only cervical cord lesions. Median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), ambulation, and pyramidal scores of patients with SCLs were higher than those of patients without SCLs. Of patients with EDSS scores of at least 6, those with SCLs were younger than those without SCLs (P = .01). Patients with SCLs were 55% less likely to have been on continuous disease-modifying therapy since diagnosis than patients without SCLs (adjusted odds ratio, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.25-0.81; P = .008).

Prevalence and association with disability of SCLs in patients with MS are comparable with existing literature. Patients with MS with SCLs have higher levels of disability and attain EDSS scores of at least 6 at a younger age.