Introduction to the Neurostatus-EDSS

The Neurostatus-EDSS was developed as an adapted version of J. Kurzke’s 1983 scale, with the aim to improve inter- and intra-rater reliability and consistency in assessments and thus its precision as a tool for the assessment of changes in neurological impairment and disability. To this aim, less ambiguous definitions of the grading than the original scale were provided, without changing the framework of Kurtzke's published definitions (Kappos et al., 2015). In 2011 a digital Version of the Neurostatus-EDSS, the Neurostatus-eEDSS was introduced.

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) registries (e.g. MSBase) and academic studies in the past three decades, in order to document and quantify the course of clinical symptoms. It summarizes more than 100 single tests (optional and mandatory, each graded as subscores) based on a standardized neurological examination into 7 Functional System Scores (FSS) and 1 Ambulation Score (AS), ultimately contributing to a single EDSS Step determination.

The range of the EDSS Step includes 20 half steps from 0 to 10, with EDSS Step 0 corresponding to a completely normal examination and EDSS Step 10 to death due to MS. This e-Learning program is based on the Neurostatus Scoring definitions 04/10.2 and Neurostatus-EDSS Scoring Table (Version 04/10.3).

We aim to educate physicians in the performance of the standardized neurological examinations as a basis for rating the Neurostatus-EDSS, and thus to maintain the high standards of training required for clinical trials by further improving the reproducibility, practicability, and quality of this assessment tool.

To adapt to the digital era, we have developed an interactive e-learning training tool that is easily accessible worldwide, and that can be used independently of group or individual Neurostatus-EDSS Training sessions at investigator meetings (“IMs”) or online.

For more information on Neurostatus-UHB and our services, please see our website.