Objective:

To assess the relationship between MRI-derived grey matter and whole brain volumes with patient reported outcomes (PROs) of depression, anxiety, and fatigue in people living with MS (pwMS).

Background:

Although patient reported outcomes of disability have been associated with worsening clinical disease in people with MS, our understanding of the relationship between PROs and structural changes in the brain remains limited.

Design/Methods:

Patient information (MS subtype, time since diagnosis) and patient reported outcomes (PHQ-9, GAD7, MSQOL-54, MFIS, ESS, PES) were collected from the Stanford ProjectBIG registry. Imaging volumetric data was collected from Icometrix MRI brain volume reports. Correlations between imaging volumes and PROs were assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient. All analyses were processed using SPSS 29.0 statistical software.

Results:

Corrected grey matter volumes were positively correlated with mental MS quality of life in all people with MS (n = 110,  r = 0.199, p = 0.039) and with progressive forms of MS (n = 24; r = 0.411, p = 0.046). However, grey matter volumes were not correlated with mental MS quality of life in people with relapsing MS, and grey matter volumes were not associated with any other PROs measures of depression, fatigue, pain, anxiety, or sleepiness among all people with MS or associated subtypes.  Notably, corrected whole brain matter volumes were negatively correlated with PHQ9 depression score in all people with MS (r = -0.192, p = 0.016) and people with progressive MS (r = -0.447, p = 0.028), but corrected whole brain matter volumes were similarly not associated with any other PROs measures.

Conclusions: