This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Hoogervorst, E L. Articles by Polman, C H Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Hoogervorst, E L. Articles by Polman, C H Pubmed/NCBI databases Medline Plus Health Information Multiple Sclerosis Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

The patient's perception of a (reliable) change in the Multiple Sclerosis Functional C omposite

Department of Neurology, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, e.hoogervorst{at}vumc.nl

N F Kalkers

Department of Neurology, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

G R Cutter

Center for Research Design and Statistical Methods, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, Nevada, USA

B MJ Uitdehaag

Department of Neurology, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

C H Polman

Department of Neurology, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Objective: To prospectively character ize the relation between two-year changes in functional impairment as measured by the Multiple Sclerosis Functio nal C omposite (MSFC) and changes in patient perceived disability as measured by the Guy’s Neurological Disability Scale (GNDS). Methods: O ne hundred and eighty-eight patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) were recruited at our outpatient clinic. Impairment and disability were assessed using the MSFC and G NDS at baseline and follow-up. Longitudinal correlations were studied between changes in MSFC and GNDS and their corresponding components. We also studied changes in G NDS in relation to what can be classified as a reliable change in MSFC; for example, 20% change in each MSFC component or a change of 0.5 in total MSFC score. In addition, we studied the change in total number of GNDS subcategories with a score of 3 or higher in relation to the predefined MSFC changes, these subcategories being indicative of the requirement for help by another person. Results: Despite good cross-sectional correlations between MSFC and GNDS, no significant correlation was found between longitudinal changes in MSFC and GNDS. A nalysing the change in GNDS in relation to the predefined MSFC changes shows that G NDS changes are nicely rank ordered when more stringent definitions of reliable change were applied. In addition, analysing the number of G NDS subcategories scored 3 or higher indicate that there is a profile of worsening on the MSFC being associated with increase in the amount of help required from others. Conclusion: O ur longitudinal data suggest that a reliable change is associated with a likewise change in patient perceived disability, the smallest reliable change being identified by at least 20% change in each MSFC component.

Key Words: GNDS • longitudinal study • MS • MSFC

Multiple Sclerosis, Vol. 10, No. 1, 55-60 (2004)
DOI: 10.1191/1352458504ms972oa


CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. Bosma, J. Kragt, L Brieva, Z Khaleeli, X Montalban, C. Polman, A. Thompson, M Tintore, and B. Uitdehaag The search for responsive clinical endpoints in primary progressive multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis, June 1, 2009; 15(6): 715 - 720. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. J. Kragt, A. J. Thompson, X. Montalban, M. Tintore, J. Rio, C. H. Polman, and B.M.J. Uitdehaag Responsiveness and predictive value of EDSS and MSFC in primary progressive MS Neurology, March 25, 2008; 70(13_Part_2): 1084 - 1091. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Costelloe, K. O'Rourke, C. McGuigan, C. Walsh, N. Tubridy, and M. Hutchinson The longitudinal relationship between the patient-reported Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale and the clinician-assessed Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite Multiple Sclerosis, March 1, 2008; 14(2): 255 - 258. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. Costelloe, K. O'Rourke, H. Kearney, C. McGuigan, L. Gribbin, M. Duggan, L. Daly, N. Tubridy, and M. Hutchinson The patient knows best: significant change in the physical component of the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29 physical) J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry, August 1, 2007; 78(8): 841 - 844. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J J Kragt, J M Nielsen, F A. van der Linden, B M. Uitdehaag, and C H Polman How similar are commonly combined criteria for EDSS progression in multiple sclerosis? Multiple Sclerosis, November 1, 2006; 12(6): 782 - 786. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J J Kragt, F A. van der Linden, J M Nielsen, B M. Uitdehaag, and C H Polman Clinical impact of 20% worsening on Timed 25-foot Walk and 9-hole Peg Test in multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis, September 1, 2006; 12(5): 594 - 598. [Abstract] [PDF]