Detecting disability using self-reported and clinical assessments in early-stage relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: Looking for a complementary approach

• Published in: Multiple sclerosis journal - experimental, translational and clinical Vol. 9; no. 2; p. 20552173231169475
• Main Authors: Sainz de la Maza, Susana, Gómez-Ballesteros, Rocío, Borges, Mónica, Martín-Martínez, Jesús, Sotoca, Javier, Alonso, Ana, Caminero, Ana B, Borrega, Laura, Sánchez-Menoyo, José L, Barrero-Hernández, Francisco J, Calles, Carmen, Brieva, Luis, Blasco-Quílez, María R, Dotor García-Soto, Julio, Campo-Amigo, María del, Navarro-Cantó, Laura, Agüera, Eduardo, Garcés-Redondo, Moisés, Carmona, Olga, Gabaldón-Torres, Laura, Forero, Lucía, Hervàs, Mariona, Medrano, Nicolás, Maurino, Jorge, Castillo-Triviño, Tamara
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.04.2023; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Brief Report; Disability; Multiple sclerosis; Self report; Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis; patient-reported outcomes; early-stage; disability progression
• ISSN: 2055-2173; 2055-2173
• DOI: 10.1177/20552173231169475

Disability accrual is mainly driven by progression independent of relapse activity, which is present even in early stages of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and sometimes overlooked. This multicenter, non-interventional study evaluated whether patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) could capture disability in 189 early-stage RRMS patients (mean age: 36.1 ± 9.4 years, 71.4% female, mean disease duration: 1.4 ± 0.8 years, median EDSS: 1.0). The 9-Hole Peg Test (9-HPT), NeuroQoL Upper Extremity (NeuroQoL-UE), Timed 25-Foot Walk (T25-FW), Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), and Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ-5) were used to assess hand function, gait, and cognition, respectively. These functions were at least mildly affected in this early-stage population, finding significant correlations between PROMs and clinical assessments. PROMs could enable early-stage RRMS patients to communicate their perceived disability in different domains, assisting clinicians in disease monitoring and decision making.