which multiple sclerosis course is a new category?

by Lon Williamson 4 min read

Proposed change in MS subtypes by Lublin et al. (2014) changes the framework to consider clinical courses as Relapsing MS or Progressive MS, and to think of the current stability of disease. Thus “Active” describes relapses (clinical relapses and/or MRI activity) and “Progression” describes clinical deterioration.

Full Answer

How do you define the clinical course of multiple sclerosis (MS)?

Defining the clinical course of multiple sclerosis 1 Clinically isolated syndrome. Clinically isolated syndrome... 2 Radiologically isolated syndrome. A more complicated situation is the radiologically isolated... 3 Assessment of activity. The Group recommended at least annual assessment... 4 Assessment of progression. An additional modifier...

What are the types of multiple sclerosis (MS)?

Types of MS. Four disease courses have been identified in multiple sclerosis: clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), primary progressive MS (PPMS), and secondary progressive MS (SPMS).

When were the multiple sclerosis (MS) subtypes established?

The 1996 originally established multiple sclerosis (MS) subtypes, based solely on clinical impression and consensus, were revised in 2013 to review potential imaging and biological correlates and to reflect recently identified clinical aspects of MS. As a result, potential new disease phenotypes, ra …

What is the client experiencing with multiple sclerosis?

A client diagnosed with multiple sclerosis has an acute onset of visual changes, fatigue, and leg weakness. The client says that the last time this happened, recovery occurred in a few weeks. Which classification of multiple sclerosis is the client experiencing? Explanation: There are four classifications of multiple sclerosis.

What are the four treatment categories for MS?

There are four main courses MS can take: progressive-relapsing MS, secondary progressive MS, primary progressive MS, and relapsing-remitting MS.

What category does multiple sclerosis fall into?

It's considered an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. In the case of MS , this immune system malfunction destroys the fatty substance that coats and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord (myelin).

What is the most severe course of multiple sclerosis?

“Fulminate MS” is a rapidly progressive disease course with severe relapses within five years after diagnosis; also known as “malignant MS” or “Marburg MS,” this form of very active MS may need to be treated more aggressively than other forms.

Which one is the commonest clinical course of multiple sclerosis?

The most common form of MS is termed relapsing-remitting MS, in which progression involves symptoms of neurologic dysfunction frequently followed by partial or complete clinical recovery.

What are the 3 types of MS?

There are three main types of MS - relapsing, primary progressive and secondary progressive.

Is MS on the vulnerable list?

Some people with MS are considered "extremely clinically vulnerable" or in the "highest risk" group for COVID-19.

Is PPMS worse than RRMS?

People with RRMS tend to have more brain lesions with more inflammatory cells. Those with PPMS tend to have more spinal cord lesions and fewer inflammatory cells. RRMS affects women two to three times more often than men. PPMS affects men and women equally.

Are there different MS stages?

There are four stages/types of MS progression: clinically isolated syndrome. relapsing-remitting MS. secondary-progressive MS.

What is the difference between primary progressive MS and secondary progressive MS?

Many people who are initially diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS find that, over time, their MS changes. They have fewer or no relapses but their disability increases. As this follows an initial (primary) relapsing remitting phase, this is known as secondary progressive MS.

What is RMS multiple sclerosis?

Most people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have a type called relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). It usually starts in your 20s or 30s. If you have RRMS, you may have attacks when your symptoms flare up. These are called relapses. An attack is followed by a time of recovery when you have few or no symptoms, called remission.

What is g35 MS?

A disorder of the central nervous system marked by weakness, numbness, a loss of muscle coordination, and problems with vision, speech, and bladder control. Multiple sclerosis is thought to be an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system destroys myelin.

Does RRMS always progress to SPMS?

Treatment seems to have some impact on how your MS advances, but it won't stop it. If RRMS isn't treated, half of people who have it will get SPMS within 10 to 20 years after they learn they have it. About 90% of those with RRMS will get SPMS within 25 years.

Four different types of MS recognized

Previously, experts in MS recognized four different courses or types of MS. These include:

Revised guidelines to better define MS types

However, in 2014, revised guidelines were published to better define MS types, including modifiers within those types. These include:

Four Courses of Multiple Sclerosis

Recognized as the first clinical presentation of a disease that shows characteristics of inflammatory demyelination that could be MS

What is progressive MS?

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, progressive disease that leads to increasing disability in many individuals. Approximately 85 percent of individuals initially present with a relapsing-remitting course of the disease ( Lublin et al., 2013 ). Most people with relapsing remitting MS transition to a more progressive course called secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) that is characterized by accumulation of disability with fewer relapses. About 10 to 15 percent of people with MS begin the disease with a progressive course, without relapses, known as primary progressive MS (PPMS).#N#In 2013, the International Advisory Committee on Clinical Trials of MS identified four MS disease courses ( Lublin et al., 2013). In 2020 this group further clarified the concepts underlying these disease courses, highlighting the need for time framing the disease course modifiers “activity” and “progression” ( Lublin et al., 2020 ). The Committee also clarified the terms “worsening” and “progression” and provided guidance for their use.

Is RIS a course of MS?

Although not considered a course of MS, radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) has been used to describe asymptomatic individuals who have MRI clinical features that are suggestive of MS and are therefore at an increased risk of developing MS ( Okuda et al., 2009 ).

What are the different types of MS?

Progressive MS (SPMS and PPMS) 1 Active with progression (relapses/MRI activity and clinical deterioration not due to relapses) 2 Active but without progression (relapses but no clinical deterioration) 3 Not active but with progression 4 Not active and without progression (stable disease)

Why use subtypes in MS?

Although patients are often concerned about which type of MS they might have, using subtypes for prognosis is limited. It should be emphasized that these terms are used primarily for descriptive purposes. A patient with RRMS may accumulate significant disability between relapses while a patient with very slowly progressive disease may remain with minimal disability. While there are some predictors of better and worse disease courses, the strength of the prediction is modest at best. In clinical practice, subtypes are best used to help determine the appropriate MS treatments, and for setting reasonable expectations for the utility of that treatment.

How long does it take for a RRMS to progress to SPMS?

Most people with RRMS transition to SPMS after an average of 10- 20 years after diagnosis. In SPMS, there is gradual worsening of MS signs/symptoms between relapses. In most, relapses disappear altogether, but neurological disability continues to increase. The progression, while gradual, can have plateaus and may eventually stop worsening, or may continue to deteriorate over time. The MRI shows fewer new lesions and eventually no new lesions are seen despite ongoing clinical deterioration. It is thought that a different pathophysiology is driving SPMS than RRMS.

What is PRMS subtype?

The PRMS subtype describes patients with both relapses and clear progression of disease dysfunction from the onset of PRMS. In the proposed descriptors by Lublin et al (below), this category is eliminated as it is a confusing term that may simply have indicated a more aggressive course of relapsing disease.

Is subtypes good for MS?

While there are some predictors of better and worse disease courses, the strength of the prediction is modest at best. In clinical practice, subtypes are best used to help determine the appropriate MS treatments, and for setting reasonable expectations for the utility of that treatment.

Is Lublin model effective for RRMS?

The Lublin model more closely follows our treatment approach as MS disease modifying therapies are proven effective for RRMS can be useful for both relapsing MS and progressive MS as long as there is evidence of active disease. Furthermore, as therapies become available for the non-relapse component of progressive MS, this nomenclature will help identify those who might benefit from these treatments. One might consider not initiating therapy or even stopping therapy if a patient has had stable disease if progressive MS or no activity if relapsing MS for quite some time, however there is a paucity of data to guide this decision.

What is secondary progressive MS?

Secondary progressive MS (SPMS) SPMS is a stage of MS that follows RRMS. With this type of MS, a person’s symptoms steadily worsen, even if the individual experiences no relapses.

How does RRMS differ from MS?

Biologically, RRMS differs from progressive types of MS because in RRMS the relapses represent new inflammatory attacks on the brain and/or spinal cord. By contrast, much less inflammation is present in the progressive forms of the disease.

What is the difference between RRMS and SPMS?

In RRMS , symptoms are thought to be driven by active inflammation that causes damage in the brain. By contrast, SPMS is driven mainly by neurodegeneration — nerve damage that continually worsens over time — mostly without active inflammation.

How long does it take for RRMS to progress to SPMS?

The reasons that RRMS develops into SPMS are not fully understood. The median time from the onset of RRMS to progression to SPMS is about two decades. The progression tends to go faster in people who were older at the onset of RRMS, and in those who experience an incomplete recovery from their first relapse.

What is the term for the loss of the myelin sheath?

Multiple sclerosis ( MS) is a neurological disorder characterized by the loss of the myelin sheath, the insulating cover around nerve fibers, as the result of an erroneous inflammatory attack by the immune system.

What is the loss of myelin?

The loss of myelin leads to impaired nerve function in the brain and/or spinal cord, ultimately resulting in the disease’s symptom. Specific symptoms vary from person to person, depending on which specific parts of the nervous system are most affected. MS is categorized into four main types by the National MS Society Advisory Committee on Clinical ...

Is CIS monofocal or multifocal?

CIS can be monofocal or multifocal. Monofocal CIS is a single neurologic sign or symptom caused by a single lesion. Multifocal CIS is the experience of one or more symptoms caused by more than one lesion.

image

1996 MS Subtypes Consensus

2014 Proposed MS Subtypes Consensus

  • Proposed change in MS subtypes by Lublin et al. (2014) changes the framework to consider clinical courses as Relapsing MS or Progressive MS, and to think of the current stability of disease. Thus “Active” describes relapses (clinical relapses and/or MRI activity) and “Progression” describes clinical deterioration. Both SPMS and PPMS fall into the c...
See more on va.gov

2014 Proposed MS Subtypes and Treatment

  • The Lublin model more closely follows our treatment approach as MS disease modifying therapies are proven effective for RRMS can be useful for both relapsing MS and progressive MS as long as there is evidence of active disease. Furthermore, as therapies become available for the non-relapse component of progressive MS, this nomenclature will help identify those who might …
See more on va.gov

Predicting Disease Prognosis with MS Subtypes

  • Although patients are often concerned about which type of MS they might have, using subtypes for prognosis is limited. It should be emphasized that these terms are used primarily for descriptive purposes. A patient with RRMS may accumulate significant disability between relapses while a patient with very slowly progressive disease may remain with minimal disability…
See more on va.gov

Additional Information

  • Lublin FD, et al. Defining the Clinical Course of MS: The 2013 Revisions. Neurology. 2014 Jul 15;83(3):278-86.
See more on va.gov