Magnetic resonance disease severity scale (MRDSS) for patients with multiple sclerosis: A longitudinal study

Abstract Background We previously described a composite MRI scale combining T1-lesions, T2-lesions and whole brain atrophy in multiple sclerosis (MS): the magnetic resonance disease severity scale (MRDSS). Objective Test strength of the MRDSS vs. individual MRI measures for sensitivity to longitudinal change. Methods We studied 84 MS patients over a 3.2 ± 0.3 year follow-up. Baseline and follow-up T2-lesion volume (T2LV), T1-hypointense lesion volume (T1LV), and brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) were measured. MRDSS was the combination of standardized T2LV, T1/T2 ratio and BPF. Results Patients had higher MRDSS at follow-up vs. baseline (p   0.5). Change in MRDSS was larger than the change in MRI subcomponents. While MRDSS showed significant change in relapsing–remitting (RR) (p  Conclusion Results suggest improved sensitivity of MRDSS to longitudinal change vs. individual MRI measures. MRDSS has particularly high sensitivity in RRMS.