Predicting Long-Term Treatment Response in Multiple Sclerosis

Current recommendations after starting a new multiple sclerosis (MS) medication are to monitor for clinical and subclinical disease activity. Investigators evaluated potential early predictors of treatment response by assessing the association between Rio score at year 1 and worsening disability 7 years later. The Rio score of 0 to 3 at year 1 after starting therapy comprises 1 point for ≥1 relapse, 1 point for worsening disability by ≥1 point on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and 1 point for ≥3 new T2 or gadolinium enhancing (GdE) lesions.

Of 346 patients with baseline imaging, 209 had 8 years of follow-up. In the first year on interferon, 23% had at least one relapse, 15% had worsening EDSS, 59% had at least one new T2 lesion…