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Updated: Nov 7, 2025
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test MSPT: An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Longitudinal analysis of disability outcomes among young people with MS
Nikki Ow1, Ayse Kuspinar2, Nancy E Mayo1
1School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation (CORE), The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center (RI-MUHC), Montreal, QC, Canada.
Background:
The age of onset of MS appears to influence the course of disease progression and people with younger age of onset might have a different disability trajectory.
Objectives:
To identify longitudinal patterns of disability progression, as measured by changes in the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC), of young people in MS drug trials and to estimate the extent to which disability progression differ in two age groups (≤25 years and 26 - 35 years).
Methods:
Data from the Multiple Sclerosis Outcomes Assessment Consortium (MSOAC) was used. Longitudinal patterns on the MSFC were identified using group-based trajectory models (GBTM). For difference between the expected and observed proportions of people with pediatric-onset MS chi-square statistic was used. Linear mixed models were used to estimate the average change in performance over time, age and sex.
Results:
GBTM results showed little variability in performance over time. Mixed modeling showed that the younger group performed better for gait speed, dexterity, and cognition. Men performed poorer on dexterity and cognition. Distribution of people with pediatric-onset MS differed from expected on dexterity, cognition, and the EDSS.
Conclusions:
The combined use of trajectory models and linear mixed models provided rich information about the variability in function over time.
Insights
Younger individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) show better functional performance in gait, dexterity, and cognition. These findings highlight age-related differences in MS disability progression, crucial for understanding disease trajectories.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Research
- Biostatistics
Background:
- Age of onset in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) may impact disease progression and disability.
- Younger MS onset may lead to distinct disability trajectories compared to later onset.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify longitudinal disability progression patterns in young MS patients within drug trials.
- To compare disability progression between two age groups: ≤25 years and 26–35 years.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Multiple Sclerosis Outcomes Assessment Consortium (MSOAC).
- Employed group-based trajectory models (GBTM) to identify longitudinal MSFC patterns.
- Applied linear mixed models to estimate changes in performance over time, considering age and sex.
Main Results:
- GBTM indicated minimal performance variability over time.
- Younger participants (≤25 years) demonstrated superior performance in gait speed, dexterity, and cognition.
- Men exhibited poorer dexterity and cognitive performance.
- Pediatric-onset MS patients showed significant differences in dexterity, cognition, and EDSS compared to expected distributions.
Conclusions:
- The integration of trajectory models and linear mixed models offers comprehensive insights into functional variability in MS over time.
- Findings underscore the importance of age and sex in MS disability progression patterns.
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