The Neurostatus-EDSS has been used in the majority of Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials for MS medications, as well as in large real-world MS cohorts (e.g. Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Cohort, SMSC[7]) registries (e.g. MSBase[8]) and academic studies in the past three decades, in order to document and quantify the course of clinical symptoms.
The Neurostatus-EDSS was developed by Neurostatus-UHB AG,[9] part of the University Hospital Basel[10]
Other validated assessment measures used in MS trials include the Timed 25-Foot Walk, the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite, and the Short Form (36) Health Survey.[5]
The Neurostatus-EDSS maintains this classification into 7 functional systems, with the addition of ambulation.
Results and clinical meaning
The clinical meaning of each possible result is the following:
0.0: Normal Neurological Exam
1.0: No disability, minimal signs in 1 FS
1.5: No disability, minimal signs in more than 1 FS
2.0: Minimal disability in 1 FS
2.5: Mild disability in 1 or Minimal disability in 2 FS
3.0: Moderate disability in 1 FS or mild disability in 3 - 4 FS, though fully ambulatory
3.5: Fully ambulatory but with moderate disability in 1 FS and mild disability in 1 or 2 FS; or moderate disability in 2 FS; or mild disability in 5 FS
4.0: Fully ambulatory without aid, up and about 12hrs a day despite relatively severe disability. Able to walk without aid 500 meters
4.5: Fully ambulatory without aid, up and about much of day, able to work a full day, may otherwise have some limitations of full activity or require minimal assistance. Relatively severe disability. Able to walk without aid 300 meters
5.0: Ambulatory without aid for about 200 meters. Disability impairs full daily activities
5.5: Ambulatory for 100 meters, disability precludes full daily activities
6.0: Intermittent or unilateral constant assistance (cane, crutch or brace) required to walk 100 meters with or without resting
6.5: Constant bilateral support (cane, crutch or braces) required to walk 20 meters without resting
7.0: Unable to walk beyond 5 meters even with aid, essentially restricted to wheelchair, wheels self, transfers alone; active in wheelchair about 12 hours a day