A systematic review and meta-analysis of real-world data predictors for conversion to progressive multiple sclerosis
(2025) In Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders 103.- Abstract
 Background: Available fluid biomarkers, neuroimaging techniques, and clinical assessments may enhance prediction of conversion to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). Objectives: : To identify robust real-world predictors of MS progression in the literature. Methods: : A systematic review was conducted in EMBASE. A total of 20,338 MS patients from 64 eligible studies were included. A p-value meta-analysis and a tipping point analysis were performed to assess associations with MS progression and EDSS. Results: Among CSF biomarkers, GFAP (p = 6.2 × 10⁻¹⁰) and CHI3L1 (p = 1.7 × 10⁻¹¹) demonstrated consistent aggregated associations with disease progression. In serum, NfL (p = 2.5 × 10⁻13) and GFAP (p = 1.4 ×... (More)
Background: Available fluid biomarkers, neuroimaging techniques, and clinical assessments may enhance prediction of conversion to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). Objectives: : To identify robust real-world predictors of MS progression in the literature. Methods: : A systematic review was conducted in EMBASE. A total of 20,338 MS patients from 64 eligible studies were included. A p-value meta-analysis and a tipping point analysis were performed to assess associations with MS progression and EDSS. Results: Among CSF biomarkers, GFAP (p = 6.2 × 10⁻¹⁰) and CHI3L1 (p = 1.7 × 10⁻¹¹) demonstrated consistent aggregated associations with disease progression. In serum, NfL (p = 2.5 × 10⁻13) and GFAP (p = 1.4 × 10-8) showed strong association with concurrent EDSS and disease progression. Spinal cord lesions (p = 9.4 × 10⁻¹¹) and iron rim lesions (p = 4 × 10⁻⁶) were the strongest radiological predictors. Among clinical assessment tools, significant associations were found with concurrent EDSS, but prediction of progression was limited. Conclusion: Fluid biomarkers, particularly CSF GFAP, CHI3L1, and serum NfL, along with spinal cord lesions and iron rim lesions on MRI, provide consistent evidence for predicting MS progression. There is a need for harmonized and accessible outcome measures in real-world datasets.
(Less)
- author
 - 						Solís-Tarazona, Luis Rafael
	; 						Molina-Castaño, Maria
	; 						Barea-Moya, Lucas
	; 						Galan, Joana
	; 						Raket, Lars Lau
				LU
				
	 and 						Gil-Perotin, Sara
	 - organization
 - publishing date
 - 2025-11
 - type
 - Contribution to journal
 - publication status
 - published
 - subject
 - keywords
 - Accessibility, Biomarkers, Cerebrospinal fluid, Expanded Disability Status Scale, Multiple Sclerosis, Neuroimaging, Progression
 - in
 - Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
 - volume
 - 103
 - article number
 - 106674
 - publisher
 - Elsevier
 - external identifiers
 - 
                
- scopus:105013649878
 - pmid:40840332
 
 - ISSN
 - 2211-0348
 - DOI
 - 10.1016/j.msard.2025.106674
 - language
 - English
 - LU publication?
 - yes
 - id
 - 2a89e894-afcd-4539-8129-f92ba14fbe2c
 - date added to LUP
 - 2025-10-09 12:21:58
 - date last changed
 - 2025-10-23 13:48:04
 
@article{2a89e894-afcd-4539-8129-f92ba14fbe2c,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background: Available fluid biomarkers, neuroimaging techniques, and clinical assessments may enhance prediction of conversion to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). Objectives: : To identify robust real-world predictors of MS progression in the literature. Methods: : A systematic review was conducted in EMBASE. A total of 20,338 MS patients from 64 eligible studies were included. A p-value meta-analysis and a tipping point analysis were performed to assess associations with MS progression and EDSS. Results: Among CSF biomarkers, GFAP (p = 6.2 × 10⁻¹⁰) and CHI3L1 (p = 1.7 × 10⁻¹¹) demonstrated consistent aggregated associations with disease progression. In serum, NfL (p = 2.5 × 10⁻<sup>13</sup>) and GFAP (p = 1.4 × 10<sup>-8</sup>) showed strong association with concurrent EDSS and disease progression. Spinal cord lesions (p = 9.4 × 10⁻¹¹) and iron rim lesions (p = 4 × 10⁻⁶) were the strongest radiological predictors. Among clinical assessment tools, significant associations were found with concurrent EDSS, but prediction of progression was limited. Conclusion: Fluid biomarkers, particularly CSF GFAP, CHI3L1, and serum NfL, along with spinal cord lesions and iron rim lesions on MRI, provide consistent evidence for predicting MS progression. There is a need for harmonized and accessible outcome measures in real-world datasets.</p>}},
  author       = {{Solís-Tarazona, Luis Rafael and Molina-Castaño, Maria and Barea-Moya, Lucas and Galan, Joana and Raket, Lars Lau and Gil-Perotin, Sara}},
  issn         = {{2211-0348}},
  keywords     = {{Accessibility; Biomarkers; Cerebrospinal fluid; Expanded Disability Status Scale; Multiple Sclerosis; Neuroimaging; Progression}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders}},
  title        = {{A systematic review and meta-analysis of real-world data predictors for conversion to progressive multiple sclerosis}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2025.106674}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.msard.2025.106674}},
  volume       = {{103}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}