MD09
Timed 25 Foot Walk Times Are Predictive of EDSS in Persons with MS
Expanded Disability Scoring Scale (EDSS) values ≥ 4.0 are determined primarily by maximum walking distance (MWD), with or without aid. Patient estimation of MWD is often used due to the impracticality of measuring MWD in clinic. Previous studies have demonstrated significant discrepancies between estimated and actual MWD. The Timed 25 Foot Walk (T25FW) is much easier to administer in clinical settings; it is currently unknown if T25FW values can be used to predict MWD.
Objectives:
To determine if T25FW values are predictive of MWD, and thus EDSS scores, in Persons with MS (PwMS).
Methods:
This study is a post hoc analysis of a previous described prospective cohort study. PwMS with a previous EDSS between 3.0 and 5.5, inclusive, with no other medical conditions affecting walking, were approached for the study. T25FW values were measured and the participant’s MWD was measured along a pre-specified walking course. We categorized T25FW values as: < 5.0 seconds (s), 5.0 – 5.9 s, 6.0 – 6.9 s, 7.0 – 7.9 s, 8.0 – 8.9 s, 9.9 – 9.9s, and 10.0 s or more. MWD were divided into corresponding EDSS categories (MWD-EDSS): MWD > 500 metres (m), 300 – 499 m, 200 – 299m, 100 – 199 m. Ordinal logistic regression was used to determine the predictive value of T25FW categories on MWD-EDSS.
Results:
43 participants were included in this analysis. The mean age was 50.8 (±8.6) years, 28 (65.1%) were female and 25 (58.1%) has relapsing remitting MS. The median EDSS was 4.5 (range 3.0 – 5.5). Ordinal logistic regression, when controlled for sex, found the T25FW categories to be predictive of MWD-EDSS (X2 = 15.691, df =7, p=0.028).
Conclusions:
This data suggests that the T25FW is predictive of MWD, and thus EDSS scores, in PwMS. Further evidence is needed to determine if T25FW values can be used as a surrogate estimate of MWD.
This study is supported by an investigator initiated trial (IIT) grant from Genzyme Canada.