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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
The Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test MSPT: An iPad-Based Disability Assessment Tool
Published on: June 30, 2014
Patient's perspective in clinical practice to assess and predict disability in multiple sclerosis
S Gil-Perotin1,2, L Bernad3, S Reddam3
1Neuroimmunology Research Unit, Health Research Institute, Hospital Universitario Y Politécnico La Fe, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell, 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain. sara.garcia@uv.es.
Abstract:
The information provided by a person with multiple sclerosis (MS) may anticipate changes in the course of the disease. To explore the role of a set of standardized patient-reported outcomes (PRO) in predicting disability progression in MS an observational study was conducted in two cohorts of 30 and 86 persons with progressive MS (pwPMS) and relapsing MS (pwRMS), respectively. The associations between baseline clinical, biochemical variables and results on MS quality of life scale (MusiQol), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) and Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) were analyzed. The progression of disability after 2 years of follow-up in pwRMS was investigated. We show that PRO differentiated pwRMS and pwPMS cohorts with lower MusiQoL and higher MFIS and BDI-II scores in the latter. Only MFIS was correlated with disability in pwRMS and high scores in the physical MFIS domain associated with worse performance in 9HPT, and a trend in T25FW and SDMT. Instead, the cognitive MFIS domain was correlated with CHI3L1 in cerebrospinal fluid, a biomarker of progression. At the end of the study, global MFIS and BDI-II were found to be independent risk factors for disability independent of relapse. Although all PRO measures explored were altered in pwPMS, baseline MFIS discriminated current and prospective disability in pwRMS, identifying patients at risk of progression.
Insights
Patient-reported outcomes like the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) can predict disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). Higher MFIS scores indicate a greater risk of worsening disability in individuals with MS.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Research
- Patient-Reported Outcomes
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease characterized by progressive disability.
- Predicting disability progression in MS is crucial for timely intervention and management.
- Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) offer valuable insights into disease experience and potential progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of standardized PROs in predicting disability progression in persons with progressive MS (pwPMS) and relapsing MS (pwRMS).
- To analyze associations between baseline clinical, biochemical variables, and PROs (MusiQol, MFIS, BDI-II).
- To identify PROs that can differentiate disease types and predict future disability in MS.
Main Methods:
- An observational study involving two cohorts: 30 pwPMS and 86 pwRMS.
- Baseline assessment of clinical and biochemical variables, MusiQol, MFIS, and Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II).
- Two-year follow-up to assess disability progression in pwRMS.
Main Results:
- PROs differentiated pwRMS and pwPMS, with pwPMS reporting lower quality of life (MusiQol) and higher fatigue (MFIS) and depression (BDI-II).
- The Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) was correlated with disability in pwRMS; physical MFIS scores related to impaired performance on neurological tests.
- The cognitive MFIS domain correlated with CHI3L1, a biomarker for MS progression. MFIS and BDI-II emerged as independent risk factors for disability.
- Baseline MFIS identified pwRMS at risk for current and future disability.
Conclusions:
- Patient-reported outcomes, particularly MFIS, are valuable tools for predicting disability progression in multiple sclerosis.
- MFIS and BDI-II are independent risk factors for disability progression in MS, regardless of relapses.
- Identifying patients at risk through PROs enables proactive management strategies for multiple sclerosis.
