A Achiron1, Y Barak. 1. Multiple Sclerosis Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 52621, Israel. achiron@post.tau.ac.il.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the rate of progression from probable to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) and to define patients who had rapidly (within 1 year) progressed to a definite diagnosis. DESIGN: A 7-year prospective study. PATIENTS: A group of 163 patients experiencing their first episode of neurologic symptoms suggestive of MS. All patients had brain magnetic resonance imaging that demonstrated at least 3 demyelinating lesions at onset. RESULTS: Within the follow-up period (mean, 42 months; range, 13-84 months), 136 patients (83.4%) had an additional relapse and were thus defined as having clinically definite MS, whereas 27 patients (16.6%) were defined as having clinically probable MS. Most of the 136 patients with clinically definite MS (57.6%, 94 patients) experienced the additional relapse within 1 year. Demographic and clinical parameters at presentation were analyzed to identify variables predictive of rapid progression (within 1 year) to clinical definite MS. Motor involvement at onset was the only clinical parameter associated with rapid progression to a definite diagnosis. Survival curves demonstrated that polysymptomatic involvement and higher Extended Disability Status Scale score at presentation correlated with rapid progression to definite diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Most patients with a diagnosis of probable MS and positive brain magnetic resonance imaging will progress rapidly to clinically definite MS.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the rate of progression from probable to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS) and to define patients who had rapidly (within 1 year) progressed to a definite diagnosis. DESIGN: A 7-year prospective study. PATIENTS: A group of 163 patients experiencing their first episode of neurologic symptoms suggestive of MS. All patients had brain magnetic resonance imaging that demonstrated at least 3 demyelinating lesions at onset. RESULTS: Within the follow-up period (mean, 42 months; range, 13-84 months), 136 patients (83.4%) had an additional relapse and were thus defined as having clinically definite MS, whereas 27 patients (16.6%) were defined as having clinically probable MS. Most of the 136 patients with clinically definite MS (57.6%, 94 patients) experienced the additional relapse within 1 year. Demographic and clinical parameters at presentation were analyzed to identify variables predictive of rapid progression (within 1 year) to clinical definite MS. Motor involvement at onset was the only clinical parameter associated with rapid progression to a definite diagnosis. Survival curves demonstrated that polysymptomatic involvement and higher Extended Disability Status Scale score at presentation correlated with rapid progression to definite diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Most patients with a diagnosis of probable MS and positive brain magnetic resonance imaging will progress rapidly to clinically definite MS.
Authors: Jens Kuhle; Raija L P Lindberg; Axel Regeniter; Matthias Mehling; Francine Hoffmann; Markus Reindl; Thomas Berger; Ernst W Radue; David Leppert; Ludwig Kappos Journal: J Neurol Date: 2007-02 Impact factor: 4.849
Authors: M S Freedman; C Metzig; L Kappos; C H Polman; G Edan; H-P Hartung; D H Miller; X Montalban; J Yarden; L Spector; E Fire; N Dotan; S Schwenke; V Lanius; R Sandbrink; C Pohl Journal: Mult Scler Date: 2011-12-19 Impact factor: 6.312
Authors: Chitra Krishnan; Adam I Kaplin; Carlos A Pardo; Douglas A Kerr; Sanjay C Keswani Journal: Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep Date: 2006-05 Impact factor: 6.030
Authors: Ellen M Mowry; Mila Pesic; Barbara Grimes; Serina R Deen; Peter Bacchetti; Emmanuelle Waubant Journal: J Neurol Date: 2009-03-01 Impact factor: 4.849