Contributions
Abstract: P1064
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Imaging
Background: Asymptomatic spinal cord (SC) lesions are frequently present in patients with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The presence of asymptomatic spinal cord lesions predicts conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS). Whether spinal cord abnormalities also predict future disability is less well established.
Objective: To determine the prognostic value of asymptomatic SC lesions in CIS and early relapsing remitting MS with respect to the development of long term disability.
Methods: Shortly after diagnosis of CIS or RRMS, clinical and imaging data (brain and spinal cord MRI) were collected in a well-documented prospective patient cohort. Patients were clinically and radiologically followed-up for 27 to 175 months (median 71 months). Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores were measured by certified raters. Based on the presence of SC symptoms and SC lesions on the baseline MRI, patients were grouped into four groups: 1. Asymptomatic SC lesions, 2. Symptomatic SC lesions, 3. No SC lesions but SC symptoms, 4. No SC lesions nor SC symptoms. Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank tests were used to analyze time to reach EDSS of 3 or 6.
Results: 204 patients from the Amsterdam Multiple Sclerosis Cohort were included (46 patients with asymptomatic SC lesions, 97 patients with symptomatic SC lesions, 24 patients without SC lesions, but reporting SC symptoms, 37 patients without SC symptoms or lesions). EDSS of 3 was reached by 81 patients (39.7%) after a median of 25 months (IQR 9 - 47). Only 11 patients (5.4%) reached an EDSS of 6.
Conclusion: Asymptomatic SC lesions did not predict disability progression in patients recently diagnosed with CIS or early RRMS.
Disclosure: MHS BIW JJGG do not report any competing interests.
ID has received speaking fees from Roche.
BMJU has received consultancy fees from Biogen Idec, Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis, Roche and Teva.
FB serves as a consultant for Bayer-Schering Pharma, Sanofi-Aventis, Biogen, Teva, Novartis, Roche, Synthon BV, Genzyme and Jansen Research.
JK has received consultancy fees from Merck-Serono, Teva, Biogen, Genzyme and Novartis.
MPW has received consultancy fees from Biogen and Novartis.
Abstract: P1064
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Pathology and pathogenesis of MS - Imaging
Background: Asymptomatic spinal cord (SC) lesions are frequently present in patients with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The presence of asymptomatic spinal cord lesions predicts conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS). Whether spinal cord abnormalities also predict future disability is less well established.
Objective: To determine the prognostic value of asymptomatic SC lesions in CIS and early relapsing remitting MS with respect to the development of long term disability.
Methods: Shortly after diagnosis of CIS or RRMS, clinical and imaging data (brain and spinal cord MRI) were collected in a well-documented prospective patient cohort. Patients were clinically and radiologically followed-up for 27 to 175 months (median 71 months). Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores were measured by certified raters. Based on the presence of SC symptoms and SC lesions on the baseline MRI, patients were grouped into four groups: 1. Asymptomatic SC lesions, 2. Symptomatic SC lesions, 3. No SC lesions but SC symptoms, 4. No SC lesions nor SC symptoms. Kaplan-Meier curves with log-rank tests were used to analyze time to reach EDSS of 3 or 6.
Results: 204 patients from the Amsterdam Multiple Sclerosis Cohort were included (46 patients with asymptomatic SC lesions, 97 patients with symptomatic SC lesions, 24 patients without SC lesions, but reporting SC symptoms, 37 patients without SC symptoms or lesions). EDSS of 3 was reached by 81 patients (39.7%) after a median of 25 months (IQR 9 - 47). Only 11 patients (5.4%) reached an EDSS of 6.
Conclusion: Asymptomatic SC lesions did not predict disability progression in patients recently diagnosed with CIS or early RRMS.
Disclosure: MHS BIW JJGG do not report any competing interests.
ID has received speaking fees from Roche.
BMJU has received consultancy fees from Biogen Idec, Genzyme, Merck Serono, Novartis, Roche and Teva.
FB serves as a consultant for Bayer-Schering Pharma, Sanofi-Aventis, Biogen, Teva, Novartis, Roche, Synthon BV, Genzyme and Jansen Research.
JK has received consultancy fees from Merck-Serono, Teva, Biogen, Genzyme and Novartis.
MPW has received consultancy fees from Biogen and Novartis.