New MRI lesions and topography at 6 months of treatment initiation and disease activity during follow up in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients

ABSTRACT

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess if the presence of new lesions and their topography on the reference MRI have a prognostic value regarding disease activity during the follow up in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study that included patients with RRMS who had a reference MRI (performed at 6 months from the onset of a DMT) and radiological and clinical follow up for at least two years. We identified the number of new MRI lesions and their topography at reference MRI and during the follow up. Cox proportional hazards model analysis was used to evaluate the association between new lesions on reference MRI and the appearance of new lesions and/or clinical relapses at 24-month follow-up.

Results: 56 patients were included, 13 (23.2%) showed new lesions in the reference MRI. The presence of new lesions at reference MRI predicted the occurrence of new lesions at month 24 (HR 3.1, CI 95% 2.5-5.8). The number of lesions and the infratentorial topography at reference MRI were associated with an increased risk of new radiological activity during follow up (HR 3.5, IC95% 3.1-6.1 and HR 2.4, IC95% 1.9-2.7 respectively).

Conclusion: New lesions at the reference MRI in terms of number and topography increase the risk of radiological disease activity during the follow up.

KEYWORDS:

• Multiple sclerosis
• reference MRI
• clinical relapses
• disease progression

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Facundo Silveira

Facundo Silveira is a junior neurologist at Hospital Italiano de Buenos AIres, Argentina. His research have focused on magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis. Silveira currently leads the UniBA team with Francisco Sanchez, a team that is developed to analyze non conventional MRI images in MS.

Francisco Sánchez

Francisco Sánchez is a senior technician at Centro de esclerosis múltiple de Buenos AIres, Argentina. His research have focused on magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis. Sanchez and his team currently leads the UniBA team, a team that is developed to analyze non conventional MRI images in MS.

Jimena Miguez

Jimena Miguez is a junior neurologist at Hospital Italiano de Buenos AIres, Argentina. His research have focused on clinical and demographic aspects of multiple sclerosis. Miguez has previously published many papers on the field of clinical aspects of MS in Latin America.

Laura Contartese

Laura Contartese is a junior neurologist at Hospital de Clinicas de Buenos Aires, Argentina. His research have focused on abnormal movement diseases.

Alejandra Gómez

Alejandra Gómez is a junior neurologist at Hospital Ramos Mejia in Buenos AIres, Argentina. His research have focused on neuroimmunologic diseases.

Liliana Patrucco

DR. Liliana Patrucco is a senior neurologist at Hospital Italiano de Buenos AIres, Argentina. His research have focused on clinical and demographic aspects of multiple sclerosis. Patrucco is currently the lead of the MS section in Hospital Italiano and has previously published many papers on the field of clinical aspects of MS in Latin America.

Edgardo Cristiano

Edgardo Cristiano is a senior neurologist at Centro de esclerosis múltiple de Buenos AIres, Argentina. His research have focused on clinical and demographic aspects of multiple sclerosis. Cristiano is currently the codirector of CEMBA and has previously published many papers on the field of clinical aspects of MS in Latin America.

Juan Ignacio Rojas

Juan Ignacio Rojas is a senior neurologist at Centro de esclerosis múltiple de Buenos AIres, Argentina. His research have focused on clinical, demographic aspects of multiple sclerosis as well as non conventional MRI techniques in MS. Rojas is currently the codirector of CEMBA and has previously published many papers on the field of MRI, clinical aspects and real world evidence of MS in Latin America.