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Deconstructing progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in stages: a Markov modeling approach

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posted on 2018-09-03, 13:41 authored by Nimish J. Thakore, Brittany R. Lapin, Tyler G. Kinzy, Erik P. Pioro

Objectives: Propose an empirical amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) staging approach called Fine’til 9 (FT9) based on how many of the patient’s ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R) subscores are 9 or less (of normal 12). Gain insights into progression of ALS by applying Markov models to ALS stages by multiple systems (King’s, Milan–Torino system (MITOS) and FT9).

Methods: Patients from the Pooled Resource Open-Access ALS Clinical Trials (PRO-ACT) dataset were staged using ALSFRS-R responses. Risks of progression through stages and death were estimated, as were effects of prognostic variables on these risks.

Results: A total of 29,947 time points in 3199 patients from the PRO-ACT dataset were assigned stages. Although the three systems were moderately correlated, MITOS stages were heavily skewed toward advanced disease, whereas King’s and FT9 stages were more balanced. Non-sequential progression was observed with King’s system. Markov models adequately described transitions from stage to stage in the first year of observation, but underestimated risks beyond that point. Regardless of staging method, initial rate of ALSFRS-R decline had a powerful effect on rate of progression through sequential stages, whereas age predominantly influenced stage-specific mortality.

Conclusion: King’s and FT9 are more sensitive to observed progression of disease in clinical trials than MITOS. FT9 can partition the course similar to King’s, and may have advantages of sequential progression and easy applicability to retrospective data. Markov transition intensity estimates may be of value for counseling, health economic studies, and research design. In particular, this framework permits estimation of multidimensional effects of variables (including treatment) on outcome.

Funding

This study was not supported by any external or internal grant. NJT receives research support from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation for unrelated work. EPP is holder of the Barry Winovich (Bright Side of the Road Foundation) Chair in ALS Research, receives support from Samuel J. and Connie M. Frankino Charitable Foundation. Receives clinical trial and research funding from NIH/CDC, ALS Association, Iron Horse Diagnostics, and serves as consultant to Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Otsuka America, Inc., MT Pharma America, Inc., and Cytokinetics, Inc.

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    AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS AND FRONTOTEMPORAL DEGENERATION

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