scholarly journals Prognostic Accuracy of NEDA-3 in Long-term Outcomes of Multiple Sclerosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. e1059
Author(s):  
Luca Prosperini ◽  
Serena Ruggieri ◽  
Shalom Haggiag ◽  
Carla Tortorella ◽  
Carlo Pozzilli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Initial Treatment ◽  
Mri Scan ◽  
Subdistribution Hazard ◽  
Prognostic Accuracy ◽  
T2 Lesions ◽  
Treatment Start ◽  
Incidence Functions

Background and ObjectivesTo estimate the proportions of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis who despite achieving the no evidence of disease activity-3 (NEDA-3) status in the first 2 treatment years experienced relapse-associated worsening (RAW) or progression independent from relapse activity (PIRA) in the following years.MethodsWe selected patients with NEDA-3—defined as no relapse, no disability worsening, and no MRI activity—in the first 2 years of either glatiramer acetate or interferon beta as initial treatment. We estimated the long-term probability of subsequent RAW and PIRA (considered as 2 contrasting outcomes) by cumulative incidence functions. Competing risk regressions were used to identify the baseline (i.e., at treatment start) predictors of RAW and PIRA.ResultsOf 687 patients, 224 (32.6%) had NEDA-3 in the first 2 treatment years. After a median follow-up time of 12 years from treatment start, 58 patients (26%) experienced disability accrual: 31 (14%) had RAW and 27 (12%) had PIRA. RAW was predicted by the presence of >9 T2 lesions (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] = 3.92, p = 0.012) and contrast-enhancing lesions (SHR = 2.38, p = 0.047) on baseline MRI scan and either temporary or permanent discontinuation of the initial treatment (SHR = 1.11, p = 0.015). PIRA was predicted by advancing age (SHR = 1.05, p = 0.036 for each year increase) and presence of ≥1 spinal cord lesion on baseline MRI scan (SHR = 4.08, p = 0.016).DiscussionThe adoption of NEDA-3 criteria led to prognostic misclassification in 1 of 4 patients. Different risk factors were associated with RAW and PIRA, suggesting alternative mechanisms for disability accrual.Classification of EvidenceThis study provides Class II evidence that in patients with RRMS who attained NEDA-3 status, subsequent RAW was associated with baseline MRI activity and discontinuation of treatment and PIRA was associated with age and the presence of baseline spinal cord lesions.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) presenting as acute transverse myelitis with positive aquaporin 4 antibodies

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. e238992
Author(s):  
Katherine Thornley ◽  
Carlo Canepa
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Transverse Myelitis ◽  
Aquaporin 4 ◽  
Sensory Level ◽  
Mri Scan ◽  
Acute Transverse Myelitis ◽  
Longitudinal Extensive Transverse Myelitis ◽  
Oral Steroids ◽  
Extensive Transverse Myelitis

An 80-year-old, previously healthy patient presents with acute transverse myelitis with sensory level at T8. The MRI scan of the spinal cord showed longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis, and she tested positive for aquaporin 4 antibodies in serum. She received treatment with intravenous and oral steroids, with no improvement and then underwent plasma exchange. She was then started on azathioprine for prevention of relapses, while continuing physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Eventually, she was transferred to a specialised spinal cord centre for long-term rehabilitation.

Minimal evidence of disease activity (MEDA) in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Prosperini ◽  
Chiara Mancinelli ◽  
Shalom Haggiag ◽  
Cinzia Cordioli ◽  
Laura De Giglio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Disease Activity ◽  
T2 Lesions ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Second Year ◽  
Remitting Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
A Minor ◽  
Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Minimal Evidence

ObjectiveThis study aimed to define the minimal evidence of disease activity (MEDA) during treatment that can be tolerated without exposing patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis at risk of long-term disability.MethodsWe retrospectively collected data of patients followed up to 10 years after starting interferon beta or glatiramer acetate. Survival analyses explored the association between the long-term risk of reaching an Expanded Disability Status Scale≥6.0 and early clinical and MRI activity assessed after the first and second year of treatment. Early disease activity was classified by the so-called ‘MAGNIMS score’ (low: no relapses and <3 new T2 lesions; medium: no relapses and ≥3 new T2 lesions or 1 relapse and 0–2 new T2 lesions; high: 1 relapse and ≥3 new T2 lesions or ≥2 relapses) and the absence or presence of contrast-enhancing lesions (CELs).ResultsAt follow-up, 148/1036 (14.3%) patients reached the outcome: 61/685 (8.9%) with low score (reference category), 57/241 (23.7%) with medium score (HR=1.94, p=0.002) and 30/110 (27.3%) with high score (HR=2.47, p<0.001) after the first year of treatment. In the low score subgroup, the risk was further reduced in the absence (49/607, 8.1%) than in the presence of CELs (12/78, 15.4%; HR=2.11, p=0.01). No evident disease activity and low score in the absence of CELs shared the same risk (p=0.54). Similar findings were obtained even after the second year of treatment.ConclusionsEarly marginal MRI activity of one to two new T2 lesions, in the absence of both relapses and CELs, is associated with a minor risk of future disability, thus representing a simple and valuable definition for MEDA.

Intrathecal baclofen for intractable spasticity of spinal origin: results of a long-term multicenter study

1993 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Coffey ◽  
David Cahill ◽  
William Steers ◽  
T. S. Park ◽  
Joe Ordia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Intrathecal Baclofen ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Pump System ◽  
Postoperative Score ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
Cord Injury

✓ A total of 93 patients with intractable spasticity due to either spinal cord injury (59 cases), multiple sclerosis (31 cases), or other spinal pathology (three cases) were entered into a randomized double-blind placebocontrolled screening protocol of intrathecal baclofen test injections. Of the 88 patients who responded to an intrathecal bolus of 50, 75, or 100 µg of baclofen, 75 underwent implantation of a programmable pump system for chronic therapy. Patients were followed for 5 to 41 months after surgery (mean 19 months). No deaths or new permanent neurological deficits occurred as a result of surgery or chronic intrathecal baclofen administration. Rigidity was reduced from a mean preoperative Ashworth scale score of 3.9 to a mean postoperative score of 1.7. Muscle spasms were reduced from a mean preoperative score of 3.1 (on a fourpoint scale) to a mean postoperative score of 1.0. Although the dose of intrathecal baclofen required to control spasticity increased with time, drug tolerance was not a limiting factor in this study. Only one patient withdrew from the study because of a late surgical complication (pump pocket infection). Another patient received an intrathecal baclofen overdose because of a human error in programming the pump. The results of this study indicate that intrathecal baclofen infusion can be safe and effective for the long-term treatment of intractable spasticity in patients with spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis.

scholarly journals Magnetic resonance imaging correlates of physical disability in relapse onset multiple sclerosis of long disease duration

2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Kearney ◽  
MA Rocca ◽  
P Valsasina ◽  
L Balk ◽  
J Sastre-Garriga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Physical Disability ◽  
Disease Duration ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Lesion Load ◽  
Brain And Spinal Cord

Background: Understanding long-term disability in multiple sclerosis (MS) is a key goal of research; it is relevant to how we monitor and treat the disease. Objectives: The Magnetic Imaging in MS (MAGNIMS) collaborative group sought to determine the relationship of brain lesion load, and brain and spinal cord atrophy, with physical disability in patients with long-established MS. Methods: Patients had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of their brain and spinal cord, from which we determined brain grey (GMF) and white matter (WMF) fractional volumes, upper cervical spinal cord cross-sectional area (UCCA) and brain T2-lesion volume (T2LV). We assessed patient disability using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). We analysed associations between EDSS and MRI measures, using two regression models (dividing cohort by EDSS into two and four sub-groups). Results: In the binary model, UCCA ( p < 0.01) and T2LV ( p = 0.02) were independently associated with the requirement of a walking aid. In the four-category model UCCA ( p < 0.01), T2LV ( p = 0.02) and GMF ( p = 0.04) were independently associated with disability. Conclusions: Long-term physical disability was independently linked with atrophy of the spinal cord and brain T2 lesion load, and less consistently, with brain grey matter atrophy. Combinations of spinal cord and brain MRI measures may be required to capture clinically-relevant information in people with MS of long disease duration.

scholarly journals Infratentorial and spinal cord lesions: Cumulative predictors of long-term disability?

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 1381-1391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iris Dekker ◽  
Madeleine H Sombekke ◽  
Lisanne J Balk ◽  
Bastiaan Moraal ◽  
Jeroen JG Geurts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Expanded Disability Status Scale ◽  
Simultaneous Presence ◽  
Disability Progression ◽  
Spinal Cord Lesions ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Lesion Analysis

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine whether early infratentorial and/or spinal cord lesions are long-term cumulative predictors of disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: We selected 153 MS patients from the longitudinal Amsterdam MS cohort. Lesion analysis was performed at baseline and year 2. Disability progression after 6 and 11 years was measured using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and EDSS-plus (including 25-foot walk and 9-hole peg test). Patients with spinal cord or infratentorial lesions were compared for the risk of 6- and 11-year disability progression to patients without spinal cord or infratentorial lesions, respectively. Subsequently, patients with lesions on both locations were compared to patients with only spinal cord or only infratentorial lesions. Results: Baseline spinal cord lesions show a higher risk of 6-year EDSS progression (odds ratio (OR): 3.6, p = 0.007) and EDSS-plus progression (OR: 2.5, p = 0.028) and 11-year EDSS progression (OR: 2.8, p = 0.047). Patients with both infratentorial and spinal cord lesions did not have a higher risk of 6-year disability progression than patients with only infratentorial or only spinal cord lesions. Conclusion: The presence of early spinal cord lesions seems to be a dominant risk factor of disability progression. Simultaneous presence of early infratentorial and spinal cord lesions did not undisputedly predict disability progression.

Long-term neurological conditions

2020 ◽  
pp. 175-278
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Motor Neurone ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Neurological Conditions

There are several hundred neurological conditions, some more commonly occurring than others. NHS England categorizes them into sudden-onset conditions resulting from an acquired or traumatic brain or spinal cord injury; progressive deteriorating conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and motor neurone disease; and other conditions that might have a more fluctuating pathway such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis. Most of these conditions result in varying degrees of disability that demand considerable personal and NHS resources to improve independence and the quality of life for these people.

scholarly journals Clinical outcomes of patients with multiple sclerosis treated with ocrelizumab in a US community MS center: an observational study

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. e000108
Author(s):  
Kyle Smoot ◽  
Chiayi Chen ◽  
Tamela Stuchiner ◽  
Lindsay Lucas ◽  
Lois Grote ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Expanded Disability Status Scale ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Community Based ◽  
T2 Lesions ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Disabled Patients ◽  
Tract Infections

BackgroundTo monitor long-term outcomes of ocrelizumab treatment.ObjectiveTo evaluate safety and treatment outcomes of ocrelizumab in a community-based multiple sclerosis (MS) population.MethodsAdult patients with MS prescribed ocrelizumab were eligible. Chart reviews were conducted at the start of ocrelizumab treatment and every 6 months thereafter.ResultsOf the 355 patients enrolled, 71.9% were female; mean (SD) age was 51.8 (12.5) years; 78.3% had relapsing MS (RMS). Median baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) (IQR) was 3.0 (2.0–4.0) for RMS, 6.5 (6.0–7.5) for secondary progressive MS, and 6.5 (6.0–7.0) for primary progressive MS. Respiratory infections occurred in 40.1% and urinary tract infections in 33.1% of patients. There was no difference in the percentage of infections among patients <55 (68.5%, n=122), and those ≥55 of age (67.5%, n=104) (p=0.94). Twenty-five hospitalisations were due to infections; 69.2% of these patients were ≥55 with a mean EDSS of 5.7 (±1.86). Four patients have died. Serum IgM and IgG levels did not predict infection risk. Annualised relapse rate was 0.34 for the patients with RMS in the preceding 2 years and 0.09 in patients who received ≥2 ocrelizumab 600 mg courses. The first on-treatment MRI was stable in 262 (90.0%) patients, 6.9% had new T2 lesions, 2.7% had enlarging T2 lesions and 1.4% had gadolinium-enhancing lesions. Median EDSS at 12 months was unchanged.ConclusionOcrelizumab effectively controlled relapse risk and disability worsening. Although only 12.1% of patients have discontinued ocrelizumab, infections resulting in hospitalisation are a concern, especially in older and disabled patients.

scholarly journals Delayed-Release Dimethyl Fumarate Safety and Efficacy in Pediatric Patients With Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raed Alroughani ◽  
Peter Huppke ◽  
Maria Mazurkiewicz-Beldzinska ◽  
Astrid Blaschek ◽  
Martin Valis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Dimethyl Fumarate ◽  
Relative Reduction ◽  
Hyperintense Lesion ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Delayed Release ◽  
T2 Lesions ◽  
Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS) is rare: only 1.5–5% of MS cases are diagnosed before 18 years of age, and data on disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for pediatric MS are limited. The CONNECTED study assessed the long-term safety and efficacy of treatment with delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (DMF), an oral MS DMT, in pediatric patients with MS.Methods: CONNECTED is the 96-week extension to FOCUS, a 24-week phase 2 study of patients aged 13–17 years; participants received DMF 240 mg twice daily. Endpoints included (primary) incidence of adverse events (AEs), serious AEs, and DMF discontinuations due to an AE, and (secondary) T2 hyperintense lesion incidence by magnetic resonance imaging and annualized relapse rate (ARR).Results: Twenty participants [median (range) age, 17 (14–18) years; 65% female] who completed FOCUS enrolled into CONNECTED; 17 (85%) completed CONNECTED. Eighteen participants (90%) experienced AEs: the most frequent was flushing (25%). None experienced infections or fever related to low lymphocyte counts. Three participants experienced four serious AEs; none led to DMF discontinuation. Twelve of 17 participants (71%) had no new/newly enlarged T2 lesions from weeks 16–24, two (12%) had one, and one each (6%) had two, three, or five or more lesions [median (range), 0 (0–6)]. Over the full 120-week treatment period, ARR was 0.2, an 84.5% relative reduction (n = 20; 95% confidence interval: 66.8–92.8; p &lt; 0.0001) vs. the year before DMF initiation.Conclusions: The long-term safety and efficacy observed in CONNECTED was consistent with adults, suggesting pediatric and adolescent patients with MS might benefit from DMF treatment.

scholarly journals Early imaging predictors of long-term outcomes in relapse-onset multiple sclerosis

Brain ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 142 (8) ◽  
pp. 2276-2287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wallace J Brownlee ◽  
Dan R Altmann ◽  
Ferran Prados ◽  
Katherine A Miszkiel ◽  
Arman Eshaghi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Progressive Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Expanded Disability Status Scale ◽  
Spinal Cord Lesions ◽  
Secondary Progressive ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
Serial Addition

Abstract The clinical course of relapse-onset multiple sclerosis is highly variable. Demographic factors, clinical features and global brain T2 lesion load have limited value in counselling individual patients. We investigated early MRI predictors of key long-term outcomes including secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, physical disability and cognitive performance, 15 years after a clinically isolated syndrome. A cohort of patients with clinically isolated syndrome (n = 178) was prospectively recruited within 3 months of clinical disease onset and studied with MRI scans of the brain and spinal cord at study entry (baseline) and after 1 and 3 years. MRI measures at each time point included: supratentorial, infratentorial, spinal cord and gadolinium-enhancing lesion number, brain and spinal cord volumetric measures. The patients were followed-up clinically after ∼15 years to determine disease course, and disability was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test and Symbol Digit Modalities Test. Multivariable logistic regression and multivariable linear regression models identified independent MRI predictors of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and Expanded Disability Status Scale, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test and Symbol Digit Modalities Test, respectively. After 15 years, 166 (93%) patients were assessed clinically: 119 (72%) had multiple sclerosis [94 (57%) relapsing-remitting, 25 (15%) secondary progressive], 45 (27%) remained clinically isolated syndrome and two (1%) developed other disorders. Physical disability was overall low in the multiple sclerosis patients (median Expanded Disability Status Scale 2, range 0–10); 71% were untreated. Baseline gadolinium-enhancing (odds ratio 3.16, P < 0.01) and spinal cord lesions (odds ratio 4.71, P < 0.01) were independently associated with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis at 15 years. When considering 1- and 3-year MRI variables, baseline gadolinium-enhancing lesions remained significant and new spinal cord lesions over time were associated with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Baseline gadolinium-enhancing (β = 1.32, P < 0.01) and spinal cord lesions (β = 1.53, P < 0.01) showed a consistent association with Expanded Disability Status Scale at 15 years. Baseline gadolinium-enhancing lesions was also associated with performance on the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (β = − 0.79, P < 0.01) and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (β = −0.70, P = 0.02) at 15 years. Our findings suggest that early focal inflammatory disease activity and spinal cord lesions are predictors of very long-term disease outcomes in relapse-onset multiple sclerosis. Established MRI measures, available in routine clinical practice, may be useful in counselling patients with early multiple sclerosis about long-term prognosis, and personalizing treatment plans.

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