Short summary

No cure is available for multiple sclerosis (MS), only disease-modifying therapies (DMT) that have an efficacy in the early stages before conversion to progressive MS. A treatment window for progressive MS has not been defined and may be influenced by silent progression thereby making, establishing prognostic biomarkers and cognitive impairment indicators for identifying conversion, crucial. We sought to investigate this using cognitive measures, ocular coherence tomography (OCT) and GCP.

Rationale

Patients with relapsing MS have over the last three decades been offered several disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) with rising efficacy and more complex management strategies. All DMTs have been designed to reduce relapse rate and prevent development of disability. DMTs have primarily targeted relapsing forms of MS though recent drugs have now proven efficacy in progressive forms, although only to a limited extend. Such restriction of efficacy in progressive MS subtypes might be related to a specific treatment window similarly to relapsing MS. However, such treatment window for progressive MS has not been defined and may be influenced by silent progression already in an early phase of MS. That makes a timely diagnosis of progression very important in order to start specific treatment as soon as possible, when there is a risk for conversion to progressive MS. Cognitive impairment, in particular decreased processing speed is a disabling symptom in a great part of patients with MS. Therefore, establishing biomarkers that predict conversion at a very early stage and in a long term is necessary. This prospective cohort study, aims to investigate the conversion to progressive MS, by establishing prognostic biomarkers, subjective markers (patient reported outcomes, PROs) and monitoring cognitive impairment over time.

Description of the cohort

This cohort includes participants who were recruited in 2010 and diagnosed with MS in the years 2000-2006.

Data and biological material

Questionnaires, cognitive tests (BICAMS), neurological tests (EDSS, SSST, T25FW, 2MWT, 9-HPT), OCT and blood samples

Collaborating researchers and departments

Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital

• Prof. Zsolt Illes

Department of Ophthalmology, Odense University Hospital

• Physician Sasikala Thineshkumar

Publications associated with the project

Multiple scientific publications are planned.