Human Study on Spinal Cord Lesions in Multiple Sclerosis
In a retrospective study of 172 patients with multiple sclerosis, 77.1% had spinal cord lesions. These lesions were significantly linked to worse disability outcomes, including greater EDSS worsening and incident EDSS ≥ 3, with odds ratios indicating a strong association. Additionally, focal atrophy in patients with lesions correlated with worsened disability and progression to secondary progressive MS.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
- Human efficacy
- Not established from this source
- Mechanism
- Not reported
- Evidence strength
- Limited
- Outcome
- Not reported
Why it matters
The findings highlight potential markers (spinal cord lesions and atrophy) for predicting long-term disability in MS patients, helping in patient monitoring and management.
What this does not prove
The study did not establish causation due to its retrospective nature, and the endpoints were not confirmed, making the findings primarily hypothesis-generating.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Observational
- Participants / samples
- Not reported
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Not reported
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-10-27
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
- Biological target
- Not reported
- Pathway
- Not reported
- Population
- Not reported
- Size of effect
- Not reported
- Secondary endpoints
- Not reported
- MRI endpoints
- Not reported
- Biomarkers
- Not reported
- Safety
- Not reported
Original sources
- Primary evidenceSpinal cord lesions and visually assessed focal cord atrophy are associated with long-term disability outcomes in multiple sclerosis: a real-world retrospective cohort study. ↗DOI: 10.1007/s10072-026-09484-5
Supporting passages (7)
study designPublication types: Journal Article
subjectsMeSH terms: Humans; Female; Male; Retrospective Studies; Atrophy; Spinal Cord; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Disease Progression; Adult; Middle Aged; Disability Evaluation; Prognosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting
findingsRESULTS: Cord lesions were present in 172 patients (77.1%), and all outcomes were more frequent in this group (EDSS worsening 39.5% vs 13.7%, incident EDSS ≥ 3 31.5% vs 6.1%, PIRA 22.7% vs 5.9%, SPMS conversion 15.1% vs 3.9%; all p ≤ 0.04). Lesion presence was associated with EDSS worsening (OR 3.56, 95% CI 1.55-9.21), incident EDSS ≥ 3 (5.31, 1.62-22.74), and PIRA (4.09, 1.17-20.43). Among lesion-positive patients, focal atrophy was associated with EDSS worsening (2.72, 1.22-6.23), incident EDSS ≥ 3 (5.59, 1.96-17.18), PIRA (3.66, 1.41-9.67), and SPMS conversion (HR 4.07, 1.69-9.82), with a graded pattern across lesion/atrophy status. Topographical features showed no consistent association.
publication datePublication date: 2026-10-27
limitationsTitle: Spinal cord lesions and visually assessed focal cord atrophy are associated with long-term disability outcomes in multiple sclerosis: a real-world retrospective cohort study.
peer reviewedPublication types: Journal Article
study designMeSH terms: Humans; Female; Male; Retrospective Studies; Atrophy; Spinal Cord; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Disease Progression; Adult; Middle Aged; Disability Evaluation; Prognosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting
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