Key clinical point: In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) without good recovery after the initial relapse, initiating a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) immediately increases the likelihood of a benign disease course.
Major finding : Patients with good recovery and immediate DMT initiation and those with poor recovery and delayed DMT initiation had about 65% and 20% chance, respectively, of remaining at a minimal disability level (Expanded Disability Status Scale score of less than 2.5) by age 45 years.
Study details: An analysis of data from the phase 3 CHAMPS trial in clinically isolated syndrome (n=383) and 10-year follow-up EXTENSION trial.
Disclosures: This study was funded by an unrestricted grant to Dr. Kantarci from Biogen. Dr. Kantarci and Dr. Atkinson received salary support as part of the grant from Biogen. Dr. Castrillo-Viguera was employed by Biogen.
Citation: Kantarci OH et al. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2019 Dec 17. doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000653.