[Long-term application of the multiple sclerosis functional composite test in Debrecen, Hungary].
BACKGROUND
The multiple sclerosis functional composite (MSFC) has been recommended by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society as a new clinical outcome measure. It is based on measurements in three clinical dimensions: leg function/ambulation (timed 25-foot walk), arm function (9 hole peg test) and cognitive function (paced auditory serial addition test). Scores on component measures are converted to standard scores (Z-scores), that reflect patient performance. This method has not yet been introduced into routine clinical practice.


METHODS
Since March 2000 over the five years period the MSFC calculation was applied to 17 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (age mean: 37.4 +/- 10.8 years, duration of the disease: 5.5 +/- 4.9 years, EDSS: 2.7 +/- 1.4) seen at the neuroimmunological outpatient clinic to evaluate its usefulness and its correlation with the traditionally applied expanded disability status scale (EDSS). Thirteen patients received immunomodulatory treatment (interferon beta and glatiramer acetate), one patient received immunosuppressant therapy (azathioprine), and there was one patient, who developed secondary-progressive phase and we changed the interferon treatment to mitoxantrone. MSFC and EDSS were measured at 3., 6., 9, 12., 18 and 60 months of follow-up.


RESULTS
The prospective study confirmed a strong correlation between EDSS and MSFC in multiple sclerosis. The MSFC was more sensitive to clinical changes than EDSS. Our results after 18 months of follow up are already published. After five years arm/hand function and leg function/ambulation were the most sensitive measures for disease progression. In contrast with the literature we did not experience correlation with cognitive changes.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrated strong correlation between MSFC and EDSS after a longer period. MSFC is a simple method, suitable for follow-up of multiple sclerosis patients in everyday clinical practice.
Mezei
Zsolt
Z
Debreceni Egyetem, Altalános Orvostudományi Kar, Neurológiai Klinika, Debrecen.
Bereczki
Dániel
D
Csiba
László
L
Csépány
Tünde
T
D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003071:Cognition; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007866:Leg / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008942:Mitoxantrone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016138:Walking
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010455:Peptides; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta; D008942:Mitoxantrone; D001379:Azathioprine