A novel study claims a new AI model can determine whether a patient has the relapsing-remitting form or whether the disease has transitioned to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Researchers said this means a diagnosis can be made earlier.

MS is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. In Sweden, there are approximately 22,000 people living with MS. Most patients start with the relapsing-remitting form, which is characterized by episodes of deterioration with intervening periods of stability. Over time, many people transition to secondary progressive MS, where their symptoms get steadily worse, without obvious breaks. Identifying this transition is important because the two different forms of MS require different treatments. Currently, the diagnosis is made on average three years after the transition begins, which can lead to patients receiving medicines that are no longer effective.

A new AI model summarized clinical data from more than 22,000 patients in the Swedish MS Registry. The model is based on data already collected during regular healthcare visits, such as neurological tests, magnetic resonance imaging scans and ongoing treatments. 

According to Uppsala University researchers, by recognizing patterns from previous patients, the model can determine whether a patient has the relapsing-remitting form or whether the disease has transitioned to secondary progressive. What is unique about the model is that it also indicates how confident it is in each individual assessment. This means that the doctor will know how reliable the conclusion is and how confident the AI is in its assessment.

In the study, the model identified the transition to secondary progressive MS correctly or earlier than documented in the patient’s medical records in almost 87 percent of cases, with an overall accuracy of around 90 percent.

The researchers suggest that for patients, this means the diagnosis can be made earlier, which makes it possible to adjust the patient’s treatment in time and slow down the progression of the disease. This also reduces the risk of patients receiving medicines that are no longer effective. In the long term, the model could also be used to identify suitable participants for clinical trials, which could contribute to more effective and individualized treatment strategies.

The findings were published in the journal Digital Medicine.