New study: Score misses relapses; early treatment helps

Credibility

Interest

Key Takeaway

A proposed risk score (MOG-AR) did not reliably predict repeat attacks in MOG-antibody disease, but starting immunosuppressive treatment after the first attack was linked to fewer relapses.

What They Found

Researchers tested a score (MOG-AR) that uses age, sex, how the disease first showed up, and treatments to sort people into low-to-high relapse risk groups. In 190 patients followed for about 3.5 years on average, 41% had at least one relapse. The MOG-AR score did not perform well enough to accurately tell who would relapse — it missed many people who relapsed and also labeled some people at risk who did not relapse. The only factor that clearly lowered the chance of relapse was giving immunosuppressive medicine after the first attack (these are drugs that calm the immune system). In short, the score alone wasn’t reliable, but early immune-calming treatment was linked to fewer repeat attacks.

Who Should Care and Why

People with MOG-antibody disease and their caregivers should care because the study suggests the score clinicians might use to predict relapses isn’t very dependable — that matters when planning treatment and watching for new symptoms. If you or a loved one has had one attack, this means doctors can’t rely on this score alone to decide who needs closer monitoring. Patients and caregivers might want to discuss the possible benefits and risks of starting immunosuppressive treatment after a first attack, since the study found it was linked to fewer relapses. Healthcare providers should know the score has limits and consider other clinical factors and patient preferences when deciding care. Think of the score like a weather app with only fair accuracy: it gives a hint but you wouldn’t change major plans based on it alone — you’d look at other signs and steps too.

Important Considerations

This was a retrospective study, meaning researchers looked back at existing medical records, which can miss details or include differences between centers that affect results. The score’s performance may differ in other groups of patients or with longer follow-up, so its usefulness isn’t fully ruled out but is limited by this study. The link between immunosuppressive treatment and fewer relapses does not prove cause — it could be influenced by which patients were chosen for treatment and other unmeasured factors.

Categories:

MS Diagnostics Clinical Trials Early Research

Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or are seeking to broaden your understanding of this complex, neurodegenerative disease, navigating the latest research can feel overwhelming. Studies published in respected medical journals like Neurology(R) neuroimmunology & neuroinflammation often range from early-stage, exploratory work to advanced clinical trials. These evidence-based findings help shape new disease-modifying therapies, guide symptom management techniques, and deepen our knowledge of MS progression.

However, not all research is created equal. Some clinical research studies may have smaller sample sizes, evolving methodologies, or limitations that warrant careful interpretation. For a more comprehensive, accurate understanding, we recommend reviewing the original source material—accessible via the More Details section above—and consulting with healthcare professionals who specialize in MS care.

By presenting a wide range of MS-focused studies—spanning cutting-edge treatments, emerging therapies, and established best practices—we aim to empower patients, caregivers, and clinicians to stay informed and make well-informed decisions when managing Multiple Sclerosis.

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