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Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Multiple Sclerosis at 7.0 Tesla
Published on: February 19, 2021
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Correlation between MRI utilization and therapy switches in disease-modifying treatments for multiple sclerosis
Hayden Naizer1,2, Harold Kohl Iii3, Trudy Krause4
1McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
Neuroradiology
|October 12, 2024
Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) use increases the likelihood of switching disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients on injectable or oral treatments. For those on infusible DMTs, MRI is crucial for safety but does not influence therapy changes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Studies on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guiding treatment decisions in multiple sclerosis (MS) are limited.
- Understanding the impact of MRI on disease-modifying therapy (DMT) selection is crucial for optimizing patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between MRI utilization and DMT switching in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS).
- To determine if MRI findings influence therapeutic decisions across different DMT classes.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cohort study analyzed a de-identified national claims database of pwMS from 2018.
- PwMS who underwent MRI in 2018 were compared to those who did not, observing DMT switches over six months.
- Statistical analysis, including odds ratios, was used to assess the impact of MRI on DMT changes.
Main Results:
- Out of 11,972 pwMS, 32.8% received at least one MRI in 2018.
- MRI utilization significantly increased the odds of DMT switching for patients on injectable or oral therapies.
- The extent of CNS imaging correlated with increased odds of DMT switching, particularly for 2 or more locations.
Conclusions:
- For pwMS on injectable or oral DMTs, increased CNS imaging via MRI is associated with a higher likelihood of switching therapies.
- MRI did not significantly alter DMT switching for patients on high-efficacy infusible therapies.
- MRI remains vital for safety monitoring in all pwMS, regardless of DMT type.
