MS-STAT2 trial (UCL cohort): baseline analysis of frontal assessment battery in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis

<h3>Introduction</h3> Cognitive impairment is common in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), with prevalence as high as 80%. Executive dysfunction is increasingly recognised. The Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) is a 10-minute assessment and is validated across a range of disease. The MS-STAT1 trial (n=133) was the first study to use the FAB as an independently reported cognitive outcome measure in SPMS - it showed asignificant difference between placebo and simvastatin arms, in favour of active treatment. <h3>Method</h3> Blinded baseline FAB scores were collected from the phase 3, randomised, double-blind, MS-STAT2 trial comparing Simvastatin to Placebo in slowing disability progression in SPMS. Only the UCL site carried out this sub- study. Blinded analysis was performed using Spearman’s correlation and linear regression. <h3>Results</h3> FAB data from 290 trial participants were analysed. Mean age = 54, female n=220, mean MS duration = 24 years, mean SPMS duration = 16 years, median EDSS = 6.0 (4.0 to 6.5). The mean FAB score was 16.06 (10-18), 151 (51.5%) participants had impaired scores (&lt;16). FAB score correlated with EDSS (rho -0.23). <h3>Conclusions</h3> We confirm the MS-STAT1 findings that a significant proportion of people with SPMS exhibit frontal lobe dysfunction, and this can be measured using the FAB. It also correlates with the level of disability.