Defining Progression

Lorscheider J, Buzzard K, Jokubaitis V, Spelman T, Havrdova E, Horakova D, Trojano M, Izquierdo G, Girard M, Duquette P, Prat A, Lugaresi A, Grand'Maison F, Grammond P, Hupperts R, Alroughani R, Sola P, Boz C, Pucci E, Lechner-Scott J, Bergamaschi R, Oreja-Guevara C, Iuliano G, Van Pesch V, Granella F, Ramo-Tello C, Spitaleri D, Petersen T, Slee M, Verheul F, Ampapa R, Amato MP, McCombe P, Vucic S, Sánchez Menoyo JL, Cristiano E, Barnett MH, Hodgkinson S, Olascoaga J, Saladino ML, Gray O, Shaw C, Moore F, Butzkueven H, Kalincik T; MSBase Study Group. Defining secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Brain. 2016  pii: aww173. [Epub ahead of print]

A number of studies have been conducted with the onset of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis as an inclusion criterion or an outcome of interest. However, a standardized objective definition of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis has been lacking. The aim of this work was to evaluate the accuracy and feasibility of an objective definition for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, to enable comparability of future research studies. Using MSBase, a large, prospectively acquired, global cohort study, we analysed the accuracy of 576 data-derived onset definitions for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and first compared these to a consensus opinion of three neurologists. All definitions were then evaluated against 5-year disease outcomes post-assignment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: sustained disability, subsequent sustained progression, positive disability trajectory, and accumulation of severe disability. The five best performing definitions were further investigated for their timeliness and overall disability burden. A total of 17 356 patients were analysed. The best definition included a 3-strata progression magnitude in the absence of a relapse, confirmed after 3 months within the leading Functional System and required an Expanded Disability Status Scale step ≥4 and pyramidal score ≥2. It reached an accuracy of 87% compared to the consensus diagnosis. Seventy-eight per cent of the identified patients showed a positive disability trajectory and 70% reached significant disability after 5 years. The time until half of all patients were diagnosed was 32.6 years (95% confidence interval 32-33.6) after disease onset compared with the physicians' diagnosis at 36 (35-39) years. The identified patients experienced a greater disease burden [median annualized area under the disability-time curve 4.7 (quartiles 3.6, 6.0)] versus non-progressive patients [1.8 (1.2, 1.9)]. This objective definition of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale and information about preceding relapses provides a tool for a reproducible, accurate and timely diagnosis that requires a very short confirmation period. If applied broadly, the definition has the potential to strengthen the design and improve comparability of clinical trials and observational studies in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.


How do you define progression becomes important when you have a treatment for progression or sadly when you are excluded from treatment because you have progression. This is important when you are being included in trials. You can look at what has happened retrospectively in this study people were assigned to whether they were progressive and 5 years later they reassessed this,  The best definition included a 3-strata progression magnitude in the absence of a relapse, confirmed after 3 months within the leading Functional System and required an Expanded Disability Status Scale step ≥4 and pyramidal score ≥2. It reached an accuracy of 87% compared to the consensus diagnosis. 

Seventy-eight per cent of the identified patients showed a positive disability trajectory and 70% reached significant disability after 5 years which means that they get it wrong 22% of the time. The development of progression occurred about 35 years after diagnosis.

The median is the number given which is the 50% mark when the details are ranked from lowest to highest. The Quartiles given is where the 25% and 75% mark is. 

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