Early Intensive Versus Escalation Approach: Ten-Year Impact on Disability in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate the long-term impact of early intensive treatment (EIT) versus escalation (ESC) strategies using high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (HE-DMTs) on disability progression in relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS).

Methods

This observational study included 4878 RMS patients from the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Register. Eligible participants initiated their first disease-modifying therapy (DMT) within 3 years of disease onset and had ≥ 5 years of follow-up with at least three Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) evaluations. Patients were categorized into the EIT group if they started with HE-DMTs and into the ESC group if HE-DMTs were initiated after ≥ 1 year of moderate-efficacy therapy. Propensity score matching was performed to balance baseline cha

SUBMITTER: Iaffaldano P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12516235 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature