Relationship between brain atrophy and disability: an 8-year follow-up study of multiple sclerosis patients

Brain atrophy measurement can provide an estimate of the amount of tissue destruction due to the pathologic processes in multiple sclerosis. The potential usefulness of atrophy as a marker of disease progression depends upon the concurrent and predictive relationships between atrophy and disability....

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Multiple sclerosis Vol. 6; no. 6; pp. 373 - 377
Main Authors:	Fisher, E., Rudick, R.A., Cutter, G., Baier, M., Miller, D., Weinstock-Guttman, B., Mass, M.K., Dougherty, D.S., Simonian, N.A.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	London Sage Publications Ltd 01-12-2000
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	Brain atrophy measurement can provide an estimate of the amount of tissue destruction due to the pathologic processes in multiple sclerosis. The potential usefulness of atrophy as a marker of disease progression depends upon the concurrent and predictive relationships between atrophy and disability. A follow-up study was performed to measure atrophy and disability scores in patients from the Multiple Sclerosis Collaborative Research Group's phase III trial of IFNbeta-1a (Avonex) in relapsing- remitting multiple sclerosis. New data were obtained on 160 out of 172 eligible patients from the original trial were enrolled in the follow-up study approximately 8 years after randomization. The follow-up visit consisted of several tests and questionnaires including a clinical exam to determine Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) and Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC), and a magnetic resonance imaging exam to calculate the brain parenchymal fraction. Brain parenchymal fraction was correlated with both EDSS and MSFC at each of the four time points for which data were available (baseline 1, 2 and 8 years). Furthermore, the change in BPF was correlated with the changes in disability scores from the end of the phase III trial to the follow-up exam. These data suggest that brain atrophy may be a useful and clinically relevant marker of disease progression in relapsing--remitting MS.
ISSN:	1352-4585 1477-0970
DOI:	10.1191/135245800701566331