Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2020 Aug;88(2):407-417.
doi: 10.1002/ana.25799. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Radiologically Isolated Syndrome: 10-Year Risk Estimate of a Clinical Event

Collaborators, Affiliations

Radiologically Isolated Syndrome: 10-Year Risk Estimate of a Clinical Event

Christine Lebrun-Frenay et al. Ann Neurol. 2020 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: We have previously identified male sex, younger age, and the presence of spinal cord lesions as independent factors that increase the 5-year risk for evolution from radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) to multiple sclerosis. Here, we investigate risk factors for the development of a clinical event using a 10-year, multinational, retrospectively identified RIS dataset.

Methods: RIS subjects were identified according to 2009 RIS criteria and followed longitudinally as part of a worldwide cohort study. We analyzed data from 21 individual databases from 5 different countries. Associations between clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics and the risk of developing a first clinical event were determined using multivariate Cox regression models.

Results: Additional follow-up data were available in 277 of 451 RIS subjects (86% female). The mean age at RIS diagnosis was 37.2 years (range, 11-74 years), with a median clinical follow-up of 6.7 years. The cumulative probability of a first clinical event at 10 years was 51.2%. Age, positive cerebrospinal fluid for oligoclonal bands, infratentorial lesions on MRI, and spinal cord lesions, were baseline independent predictors associated with a subsequent clinical event. The presence of gadolinium-enhanced lesions during follow-up was also associated with the risk of a seminal event. The reason for MRI and gadolinium-enhancing lesions at baseline did not influence the risk of a subsequent clinical event.

Interpretation: Approximately half of all individuals with RIS experience a first clinical event within 10 years of the index MRI. The identification of independent predictors of risk for symptom onset may guide education and clinical management of individuals with RIS. ANN NEUROL 2020;88:407-417.

PubMed Disclaimer

Comment in

References

    1. Okuda DT, Mowry EM, Beheshtian A, et al. Incidental MRI anomalies suggestive of multiple sclerosis: the radiologically isolated syndrome. Neurology 2009;72:800-805.
    1. Lebrun C, Bensa C, Debouverie M, et al. Unexpected multiple sclerosis: follow-up of 30 patients with magnetic resonance imaging and clinical conversion profile. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2008;79:195-198.
    1. Lebrun C, Bensa C, Debouverie M, et al. Association between clinical conversion to multiple sclerosis in radiologically isolated syndrome and magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid, and visual evoked potential: follow-up of 70 patients. Arch Neurol 2009;66:841-846.
    1. Vernooij MW, Ikram MA, Tanghe HL, et al. Incidental findings on brain MRI in the general population. New Engl J Med 2007;357:1821-1828.
    1. Castaigne P, Lhermitte F, Escourolle R, et al. Asymptomatic multiple sclerosis. Rev Neurol (Paris) 1981;137:729-737.

LinkOut - more resources