Background

The transition from relapsing-remitting (RRMS) to secondary progressive (SPMS) multiple sclerosis is not well defined. Different definitions and tools to identify SPMS have been proposed. Meanwhile, early diagnosis of “active” SPMS is getting progressively more important as pharmaceutical treatment options are being developed. In this study, we compared different classification methods regarding their accuracy to reliably identify “active SPMS”.

Methods

Independent from previous diagnostic classification, we descriptively analyzed the disease course (regarding relapses, progression and MR-activity) in 208 consecutive multiple sclerosis patients treated in our MS outpatient clinic in 2018. Patients were reclassified according to different SPMS criteria and tools. Diagnostic accuracy to identify patients with “active SPMS” was determined.

Results

Comparing the tools to each other, significant variability in the number of patients identified as having SPMS as well as in the proportion of these patients having “active SPMS” was noted. Applying both diagnostic criteria “SPMS” and “active disease” reduced the sensitivity to identify patients with active progressive disease in all approaches.

Conclusion

We propose to lessen the emphasis on the label “SPMS” in favor of the more open term “active progressive disease” to simplify the process of identification of patients who may benefit from immune therapy.