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Journal ArticleDOI

Clinical, environmental, and genetic determinants of multiple sclerosis in children with acute demyelination: a prospective national cohort study

TL;DR: Risk of multiple sclerosis in children can be stratified by presence of HLA-DRB1*15 alleles, remote Epstein-Barr virus infection, and low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, suggesting established disease.
Abstract: Summary Background HLA-DRB1*15 genotype, previous infection with Epstein-Barr virus, and vitamin D insufficiency are susceptibility factors for multiple sclerosis, but whether they act synergistically to increase risk is unknown. We aimed to assess the contributions of these risk factors and the effect of established precursors of multiple sclerosis, such as brain lesions on MRI and oligoclonal bands in CSF at the time of incident demyelination, on development of multiple sclerosis in children. Methods In our prospective national cohort study, we assessed children who presented with incident CNS demyelination to any of the 16 paediatric health-care facilities or seven regional health-care facilities in Canada. We did univariate and multivariable analyses to assess contributions of HLA-DRB1*15 , Epstein-Barr virus, vitamin D status, MRI evidence of brain lesions, and CSF oligoclonal bands as determinants of multiple sclerosis. We used classification and regression tree analyses to generate a risk stratification algorithm for clinical use. Findings Between Sept 1, 2004, and June 30, 2010, we screened 332 children of whom 302 (91%) were eligible and followed-up for a median of 3·14 years (IQR 1·61–4·51). 63 (21%) children were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after a median of 127 days (99–222). Although the risk of multiple sclerosis was increased with presence of one or more HLA-DRB1*15 alleles (hazard ratio [HR] 2·32, 95% CI 1·25–4·30), reduced serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration (HR per 10 nmol/L decrease 1·11, 1·00–1·25), and previous Epstein-Barr-virus infection (HR 2·04, 0·99–4·20), no interactions between these variables were detected on multivariate analysis. Multiple sclerosis was strongly associated with baseline MRI evidence of one or more brain lesion (HR 37·9, 5·26–273·85) or CSF oligoclonal bands (6·33, 3·35–11·96), suggesting established disease. One patient diagnosed with multiple sclerosis had a normal MRI scan, and therefore sensitivity of an abnormal MRI scan for multiple sclerosis diagnosis was 98·4%. Interpretation Risk of multiple sclerosis in children can be stratified by presence of HLA-DRB1*15 alleles, remote Epstein-Barr virus infection, and low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations. Similar to previous studies in adults, brain lesions detected on MRI and CSF oligoclonal bands in children are probable precursors to the clinical onset of multiple sclerosis. Children with a normal MRI are very likely to have a monophasic illness. Funding Canadian Multiple Sclerosis Scientific Research Foundation.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: State-of-the-art MRI findings in patients presenting with a clinically isolated syndrome were discussed in a MAGNIMS workshop, the goal of which was to provide an evidence-based and expert-opinion consensus on diagnostic MRI criteria modifications.
Abstract: In patients presenting with a clinically isolated syndrome, MRI can support and substitute clinical information in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis by showing disease dissemination in space and time and by helping to exclude disorders that can mimic multiple sclerosis. MRI criteria were first included in the diagnostic work-up for multiple sclerosis in 2001, and since then several modifications to the criteria have been proposed in an attempt to simplify lesion-count models for showing disease dissemination in space, change the timing of MRI scanning to show dissemination in time, and increase the value of spinal cord imaging. Since the last update of these criteria, new data on the use of MRI to establish dissemination in space and time have become available, and MRI technology has improved. State-of-the-art MRI findings in these patients were discussed in a MAGNIMS workshop, the goal of which was to provide an evidence-based and expert-opinion consensus on proposed modifications to MRI criteria for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

627 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Among patients with MS mainly treated with interferon beta-1b, low 25(OH)D levels early in the disease course are a strong risk factor for long-term MS activity and progression.
Abstract: Importance It remains unclear whether vitamin D insufficiency, which is common in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), has an adverse effect on MS outcomes. Objectives To determine whether serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), a marker of vitamin D status, predict disease activity and prognosis in patients with a first event suggestive of MS (clinically isolated syndrome). Design, Setting, and Participants The Betaferon/Betaseron in Newly Emerging multiple sclerosis For Initial Treatment study was a randomized trial originally designed to evaluate the impact of early vs delayed interferon beta-1b treatment in patients with clinically isolated syndrome. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured at baseline and 6, 12, and 24 months. A total of 465 of the 468 patients randomized had at least 1 25(OH)D measurement, and 334 patients had them at both the 6- and 12-month (seasonally asynchronous) measurements. Patients were followed up for 5 years clinically and by magnetic resonance imaging. Main Outcomes and Measures New active lesions, increased T2 lesion volume, and brain volume on magnetic resonance imaging, as well as MS relapses and disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale score). Results Higher 25(OH)D levels predicted reduced MS activity and a slower rate of progression. A 50-nmol/L (20-ng/mL) increment in average serum 25(OH)D levels within the first 12 months predicted a 57% lower rate of new active lesions ( P P = .03), 25% lower yearly increase in T2 lesion volume ( P P = .07) from months 12 to 60. Similar associations were found between 25(OH)D measured up to 12 months and MS activity or progression from months 24 to 60. In analyses using dichotomous 25(OH)D levels, values greater than or equal to 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL) at up to 12 months predicted lower disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale score, −0.17; P = .004) during the subsequent 4 years. Conclusions and Relevance Among patients with MS mainly treated with interferon beta-1b, low 25(OH)D levels early in the disease course are a strong risk factor for long-term MS activity and progression.

418 citations


Additional excerpts

  • ...of T2 lesions at baseline, median (Q1-Q3) 21 (10-37) 19 (9-45) 16 (7-31) 15 (7-36) 16 (6-44) 20 (8-38) 15 (7-37)...

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: MRI findings incorporated into diagnostic criteria in the past decade enable MS to be diagnosed at or soon after CIS presentation, and targets for future therapeutic progress are to achieve safe and effective long-term immunomodulation with neuroprotection and repair.
Abstract: Summary Clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is a term that describes a first clinical episode with features suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS). It usually occurs in young adults and affects optic nerves, the brainstem, or the spinal cord. Although patients usually recover from their presenting episode, CIS is often the first manifestation of MS. The most notable risk factors for MS are clinically silent MRI lesions and CSF oligoclonal bands; weak or uncertain risk factors include vitamin D deficiency, Epstein-Barr virus infection, smoking, HLA genes, and miscellaneous immunological abnormalities. Diagnostic investigations including MRI aim to exclude alternative causes and to define the risk for MS. MRI findings incorporated into diagnostic criteria in the past decade enable MS to be diagnosed at or soon after CIS presentation. The course of MS after CIS is variable: after 15–20 years, a third of patients have a benign course with minimal or no disability and a half will have developed secondary progressive MS with increasing disability. Prediction of the long-term course at disease onset is unreliable. Disease-modifying treatments delay the development from CIS to MS. Their use in CIS is limited by uncertain long-term clinical prognosis and treatment benefits and adverse effects, although they have the potential to prevent or delay future tissue damage, including demyelination and axonal loss. Targets for future therapeutic progress are to achieve safe and effective long-term immunomodulation with neuroprotection and repair.

370 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 2017-Cell
TL;DR: The present documents illustrate that the cause of MS is multifactorial and include genetic predisposition together with environmental factors such as exposure to infectious agents, vitamin deficiencies, and smoking.

320 citations


Cites background from "Clinical, environmental, and geneti..."

  • ...In addition, this vitamin has a role in gene expression and regulation of immunity (37), as well as induction of B lymphocyte apoptosis (38), IL-10 synthesis (39), and suppression of proinflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ (40) and IL-2 (41)....

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References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Today there is a need for more exact criteria than existed earlier in order to conduct therapeutic trials in multicenter programs, to compare epidemiological surveys, to evaluate new diagnostic procedures, and to estimate the activity of the disease process in MS.
Abstract: Several schemes for the diagnosis and clinical classification of multiple sclerosis (MS) have been advanced [l}. The best known is that published by Schumacher et alC31. The criteria for this scheme were established in order to select patients for participation in therapeutic trials, and pertain only to what might be called definite MS. No provision was made for incorporating supportive laboratory data into the diagnostic criteria. As no reliable specific laboratory test for the diagnosis of MS has been discovered, the diagnosis remains a clinical one, and there is still a need for clinical diagnostic criteria. However, several laboratory and clinical procedures have been developed within the last decade which aid greatly in demonstrating neurological dysfunction attributable to lesions, and even the lesions themselves. One problem with the various published diagnostic classifications is their discrepant terminology: what is considered “probable” in one is called “definite” in another. Another problem is that all the proposed schemes require much subjective judgment, a difficulty which cannot be completely overcome but can be diminished by adding to the clinical evaluation the results of laboratory, neuroimaging, neuropsychological, and neurophysiological procedures. Today there is a need for more exact criteria than existed earlier in order to conduct therapeutic trials in multicenter programs, to compare epidemiological surveys, to evaluate new diagnostic procedures, and to estimate the activity of the disease process in MS. Method and Procedure

7,565 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: New evidence and consensus now strengthen the role of these criteria in the multiple sclerosis diagnostic workup to demonstrate dissemination of lesions in time, to clarify the use of spinal cord lesions, and to simplify diagnosis of primary progressive disease.
Abstract: New diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis integrating magnetic resonance image assessment with clinical and other paraclinical methods were introduced in 2001. The "McDonald Criteria" have been extensively assessed and used since 2001. New evidence and consensus now strengthen the role of these criteria in the multiple sclerosis diagnostic workup to demonstrate dissemination of lesions in time, to clarify the use of spinal cord lesions, and to simplify diagnosis of primary progressive disease. The 2005 Revisions to the McDonald Diagnostic Criteria for MS should simplify and speed diagnosis, whereas maintaining adequate sensitivity and specificity.

4,862 citations

Book
01 Dec 1993
TL;DR: This paper discusses the design of clinical trials, use of computer software in survival analysis, and some non-parametric procedures for modelling survival data.
Abstract: Some non-parametric procedures. Modelling survival data. The Cox Regression Model. Design of clinical trials. Some other models for survival data. Model checking. Time dependent co-variates. Interval censored survival data. Multi-state survival models. Some additional topics. Use of computer software in survival analysis. Appendices: Example data sets. Maximum liklihood estimation score statistics and information. GLIM macros for survival analysis.

2,564 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Revised diagnostic criteria for definite neuromyelitis optica (NMO) that require optic neuritis, myelitis, and at least two of three supportive criteria: MRI evidence of a contiguous spinal cord lesion 3 or more segments in length, onset brain MRI nondiagnostic for multiple sclerosis, or NMO-IgG seropositivity.
Abstract: Background: The authors previously proposed diagnostic criteria for neuromyelitis optica (NMO) that facilitate its distinction from prototypic multiple sclerosis (MS) However, some patients with otherwise typical NMO have additional symptoms not attributable to optic nerve or spinal cord inflammation or have MS-like brain MRI lesions Furthermore, some patients are misclassified as NMO by the authors’ earlier proposed criteria despite having a subsequent course indistinguishable from prototypic MS A serum autoantibody marker, NMO-IgG, is highly specific for NMO The authors propose revised NMO diagnostic criteria that incorporate NMO-IgG status Methods: Using final clinical diagnosis (NMO or MS) as the reference standard, the authors calculated sensitivity and specificity for each criterion and various combinations using a sample of 96 patients with NMO and 33 with MS The authors used likelihood ratios and logistic regression analysis to develop the most practical and informative diagnostic model Results: Fourteen patients with NMO (146%) had extra-optic-spinal CNS symptoms NMO-IgG seropositivity was 76% sensitive and 94% specific for NMO The best diagnostic combination was 99% sensitive and 90% specific for NMO and consisted of at least two of three elements: longitudinally extensive cord lesion, onset brain MRI nondiagnostic for MS, or NMO-IgG seropositivity Conclusions: The authors propose revised diagnostic criteria for definite neuromyelitis optica (NMO) that require optic neuritis, myelitis, and at least two of three supportive criteria: MRI evidence of a contiguous spinal cord lesion 3 or more segments in length, onset brain MRI nondiagnostic for multiple sclerosis, or NMO-IgG seropositivity CNS involvement beyond the optic nerves and spinal cord is compatible with NMO

2,442 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The history of clinical diagnostic criteria demonstrates the evolution from rather tentative classifications of restricted value to the more elaborate 1983 scheme which incorporates some laboratory procedures under the rubric paraclinical tests as well as a new category based on the presence of specific abnormalities of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

1,902 citations

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