Multiple sclerosis severity score - Using disability and disease duration to rate disease severity

Roxburgh, RHSR; Seaman, SR; Masterman, T; Hensiek, AE; Sawcer, SJ; Vukusic, S; Achiti, I; Confavreux, C; Coustans, M; le Page, E; Edan, G; McDonnell, GV; Hawkins, S; Trojano, M; Liguori, M; Cocco, E; Marrosu, MG; Tesser, F; Leone, MA; Weber, A; Zipp, F; Miterski, B; Epplen, JT; Oturai, A; Sorensen, PS; Celius, EG; Lara, NT; Montalban, X; Villoslada, P; Silva, AM; Marta, M; Leite, I; Dubois, B; Rubio, J; Butzkueven, H; Kilpatrick, T; Mycko, MP; Selmaj, KW; Rio, ME; Sa, M; Salemi, G; Savettieri, G; Hillert, J; Compston, DAS

Author(s): Roxburgh, RHSR; Seaman, SR; Masterman, T; Hensiek, AE; Sawcer, SJ; Vukusic, S; Achiti, I; Confavreux, C; Coustans, M; le Page, E; Edan, G; McDonnell, GV; Hawkins, S; Trojano, M; Liguori, M; Cocco, E; Marrosu, MG; Tesser, F; Leone, MA; Weber, A; Zipp, F; Miterski, B; Epplen, JT; Oturai, A; Sorensen, PS; Celius, EG; Lara, NT; Montalban, X; Villoslada, P; Silva, AM; Marta, M; Leite, I; Dubois, B; Rubio, J; Butzkueven, H; Kilpatrick, T; Mycko, MP; Selmaj, KW; Rio, ME; Sa, M; Salemi, G; Savettieri, G; Hillert, J; Compston, DAS;
Details: Publication Year 2005-04-12,Volume 64,Issue #7,Page 1144-1151
Journal Title: NEUROLOGY
Publication Type: Journal Article
Abstract: Background: There is no consensus method for determining progression of disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) when each patient has had only a single assessment in the course of the disease. Methods: Using data from two large longitudinal databases, the authors tested whether cross-sectional disability assessments are representative of disease severity as a whole. An algorithm, the Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS), which relates scores on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) to the distribution of disability in patients with comparable disease durations, was devised and then applied to a collection of 9,892 patients from 11 countries to create the Global MSSS. In order to compare different methods of detecting such effects the authors simulated the effects of a genetic factor on disability. Results: Cross-sectional EDSS measurements made after the first year were representative of overall disease severity. The MSSS was more powerful than the other methods the authors tested for detecting different rates of disease progression. Conclusion: The Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) is a powerful method for comparing disease progression using single assessment data. The Global MSSS can be used as a reference table for future disability comparisons. While useful for comparing groups of patients, disease fluctuation precludes its use as a predictor of future disability in an individual.
Publisher: LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
Keywords: NATURAL-HISTORY; OUTCOME MEASURE; SUSCEPTIBILITY
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2005-04-12 12:00:00