Prognostic value of spinal cord lesion measures in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Lauerer, Markus; McGinnis, Julian; Bussas, Matthias; El Husseini, Malek; Pongratz, Viola; Engl, Christina; Wuschek, Alexander; Berthele, Achim; Riederer, Isabelle; Kirschke, Jan S; Zimmer, Claus; Hemmer, Bernhard; Mühlau, Mark

doi:10.1136/jnnp-2023-331799

journal article

Document type:: Journal Article
Author(s):: Lauerer, Markus; McGinnis, Julian; Bussas, Matthias; El Husseini, Malek; Pongratz, Viola; Engl, Christina; Wuschek, Alexander; Berthele, Achim; Riederer, Isabelle; Kirschke, Jan S; Zimmer, Claus; Hemmer, Bernhard; Mühlau, Mark
Title:: Prognostic value of spinal cord lesion measures in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Abstract:: BACKGROUND: Spinal cord (SC) lesions have been associated with unfavourable clinical outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the relation of whole SC lesion number (SCLN) and volume (SCLV) to the future occurrence and type of confirmed disability accumulation (CDA) remains largely unexplored. METHODS: In this monocentric retrospective study, SC lesions were manually delineated. Inclusion criteria were: age between 18 and 60 years, relapsing-remitting MS, disease duration under 2 years and clinical follow-up of 5 years. The first CDA event after baseline, determined by a sustained increase in the Expanded Disability Status Scale over 6 months, was classified as either progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) or relapse-associated worsening (RAW). SCLN and SCLV were compared between different (sub)groups to assess their prospective value. RESULTS: 204 patients were included, 148 of which had at least one SC lesion and 59 experienced CDA. Patients without any SC lesions experienced significantly less CDA (OR 5.8, 95% CI 2.1 to 19.8). SCLN and SCLV were closely correlated (rs=0.91, p<0.001) and were both significantly associated with CDA on follow-up (p<0.001). Subgroup analyses confirmed this association for patients with PIRA on CDA (34 events, p<0.001 for both SC lesion measures) but not for RAW (25 events, p=0.077 and p=0.22). CONCLUSION: Patients without any SC lesions are notably less likely to experience CDA. Both the number and volume of SC lesions on MRI are associated with future accumulation of disability largely independent of relapses.
Journal title abbreviation:: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry
Year:: 2023
Journal volume:: 95
Journal issue:: 1
Pages contribution:: 37-43
Fulltext / DOI:: doi:10.1136/jnnp-2023-331799
Pubmed ID:: http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/37495267
Print-ISSN:: 0022-3050
TUM Institution:: Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie (Prof. Hemmer); Professur für Neuroradiologie (Prof. Zimmer)
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