Abstract Details

Title Pediatric MS Subjects Have Reduced Walking Capacity Compared to Healthy Controls

Topic Child Neurology and Developmental Neurology

Presentation(s) P12 - Poster Session 12 (12:00 PM-1:00 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 5-008

Objective Assess the utility of the 6-minute walk test to discriminate walking capacity in children with MS compared to non-MS controls.

Background Pediatric MS subjects exhibit less moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than healthy peers, as measured by continuous accelerometry. While accelerometry primarily determines walking behavior, there is a distinct lack of knowledge on walking capacity in children with MS. The 6-minute walk (6MW) is a timed walking test that assesses walking fatigability and functional walking capacity. While applied as an important outcome measure in adult MS, the value of this test in a pediatric MS population is unknown.

Design/Methods 25 pediatric MS and 50 healthy control subjects were recruited. All pediatric MS subjects met both 2010 and 2017 McDonald criteria for MS. Demographic and anthropometric information was collected at the study visit including age, sex, race, weight/height, waist circumference, and smoking history. All subjects completed the 6MW assessment using a standardized protocol. MS subjects underwent Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) evaluation.

Results Pediatric MS subjects had a mean age of 17 years (range: 11-18 years) with an average disease duration of 2 years. Median EDSS score for MS subjects was 1.5. A greater proportion of MS subjects were overweight/obese compared to controls (60% versus 33%). Pediatric MS subjects walked a significantly shorter distance in 6 minutes (6MW) compared to controls (1868 +/- 252 versus 2061 +/- 254 feet; p=0.004). In regression modeling, both MS disease and higher body mass index (BMI) influence performance on the 6MW, even after adjusting for level of neurologic disability (determined by EDSS).

Conclusions Pediatric MS subjects exhibit a slower performance on 6MW compared to non-MS peers, suggesting a lowered functional walking capacity independent of MS disability. Additionally, elevated BMI impacts 6MW performance, with slowest performance noted in those children who are obese and living with MS.

Authors/Disclosures
James N. Brenton, MD, F�鶹��ýӳ�� PRESENTER	Dr. Brenton has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as a Consultant for I-ACT on a Novartis sponsored project. The institution of Dr. Brenton has received research support from NIH/NINDS. The institution of Dr. Brenton has received research support from Autoimmune Encephalitis Alliance. Dr. Brenton has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Brenton has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Grant Reviewer with Department of Defense. Dr. Brenton has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Grant Reviewer with NIH. Dr. Brenton has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Grant Reviewer with FDA.
Emma L. Wetmore, MD	Dr. Wetmore has nothing to disclose.
	No disclosure on file
Hitoshi Koshiya, MD	Dr. Koshiya has nothing to disclose.
Myla D. Goldman, MD, MSc, F�鶹��ýӳ�� (Virginia Commonwealth University)	Dr. Goldman has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Genentec. Dr. Goldman has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Immunic. Dr. Goldman has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving as a Consultant for Novartis Pharmceuticals. Dr. Goldman has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Kiniska. Dr. Goldman has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for TG Therapeutics. Dr. Goldman has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Brainstorm Cell Therapeutics Ltd., . Dr. Goldman has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Study Section Member with NIH. Dr. Goldman has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as a Grant Review Committee Member with Department of Defense.

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