Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Encounter flow
12/12 authoredCanonical 12-phase frame with authored status for this dossier.
Frame
Confirm PPMS — ≥1 y progressive disability from onset + no prior relapse; rule out mimics; active vs non-active classification per Lublin 2014 (PMID 24871874)
PPMS confirmed; active vs non-active classified
Patient inputs (20)
AQP4-IgG positive → NMOSD pivot (different DMT — eculizumab/satralizumab/inebilizumab/rituximab; AVOID IFN/natalizumab) (Wingerchuk 2015 PMID 26092914)
HBV reactivation on anti-CD20 (AAN 2024)
Typical PPMS onset 40s; FDA ocrelizumab label age ≤55 for PPMS
M:F ~1:1 in PPMS (vs 3:1 F in RRMS)
Depression highly comorbid in progressive MS
PPMS by definition has no prior relapse history (rare exceptions: late relapse after years of PPMS)
Active PPMS = gad+ lesion OR new T2 in past 12 mo → ocrelizumab indicated (ORATORIO PMID 28002688)
Lublin 2014 — ≥1 y progressive disability from onset without relapse defines PPMS
Active PPMS = gad+ lesion OR new T2; annual MRI (AAN 2024)
Cervical cord lesions + atrophy are PPMS hallmark; baseline + annual
Subacute combined degeneration mimic (B12 deficiency); copper deficiency myelopathy; treat reversible
Tabes dorsalis / neurosyphilis mimic of progressive paraparesis
HIV myelopathy + HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (TSP) mimic
Lymphopenia surveillance on ocrelizumab
Ocrelizumab LFT monitoring
EDSS ≤6.5 required for ocrelizumab ORATORIO eligibility (FDA label); schema-blocked
Symptomatic phenotype drives baclofen / oxybutynin / amantadine / Nuedexta
CSF OCB positive supports MS over alternative; required for McDonald 2017 (PMID 29275977)
MOG-IgG positive → MOGAD (Banwell 2023)
Hypogammaglobulinemia on ocrelizumab — infection risk
* = hard-required. Engine cannot meaningfully run until these are filled.
Severity triggers (8)
- informationallife_threateningnmosd_mimic_pivotNMOSD mimic — LETM > 3 cord segments OR bilateral optic neuritis → AQP4-IgG + MOG-IgG urgent; AVOID IFN/natalizumab (worsen NMOSD)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalsevereclassic_ppms_men_40s_onsetClassic PPMS — middle-age male with insidious progressive paraparesis from onset ≥1 y without relapse (Lublin 2014 PMID 24871874)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalsevereactive_ppms_lesion_or_relapseActive PPMS — gad+ lesion OR new T2 in past 12 mo OR rare relapse → ocrelizumab ORATORIO-eligible (PMID 28002688)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalsevereedss_4_to_6_5_ocrelizumab_eligibleEDSS 4-6.5 + age ≤55 + active disease → ocrelizumab eligible per ORATORIO inclusion criteria (PMID 28002688)Trigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalseverecervical_cord_dominantCervical cord-dominant progressive syndrome — atrophy + lesion + minimal brain involvement; spastic quadriparesis / paresis predominantTrigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalsevereprogressive_paraparesis_dominantProgressive paraparesis dominant — gait + bowel/bladder + sexual dysfunction; rule out vascular myelopathy / B12 deficiency / hereditary spastic paraparesis / NMOSDTrigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalmoderatenon_active_ppmsNon-active PPMS — no gad+ or new T2 in past 12 mo → DMT not indicated per FDA label; symptomatic + rehab dominantTrigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
- informationalmoderatecognitive_dominantCognitive-dominant PPMS — frontal/subcortical pattern with progressive cognitive decline + minimal motor — neuropsych battery + cognitive rehabTrigger could not be auto-evaluated — needs clinician judgement.
Workflow calculators
Run this disease's risk and dosing calculators inline.
Recommended regimen
PPMS DMT — ocrelizumab ORATORIO first-line for active PPMS (PMID 28002688)- ocrelizumabfirst lineanti_CD20_mAb300 mg IV × 2 (2 weeks apart) then 600 mg IV q6 months • IV • q6 monthstriggers: active_PPMS_age_le_55_EDSS_le_6.5ORATORIO (Montalban NEJM 2017 PMID 28002688 NEEDS_SOURCE_REVIEW) — first and only FDA-approved DMT for PPMS; 24% RR reduction 12-wk CDP; ARR + MRI improvement; hypogammaglobulinemia surveillancerxcui 1876366
- rituximab (off-label)second lineanti_CD20_mAb1000 mg IV × 2 (2 weeks apart) then q6 months • IV • q6 monthstriggers: active_PPMS_inflammatory_younger, ocrelizumab_access_unavailablePROMISE (Hawker Ann Neurol 2009 PMID 19847908 NEEDS_SOURCE_REVIEW) — negative overall but signal in younger inflammatory subgroup; off-label in MSrxcui 121191
outpatient playbook — drug actions (11)
- 1. ocrelizumab (active PPMS)300 mg IV × 2 then 600 mg IV q6 mo • IV infusion • q6 motrigger: Active PPMS age ≤55 EDSS ≤6.5ORATORIO PMID 28002688
- 2. rituximab (off-label)1000 mg IV × 2 then q6 mo • IV • q6 motrigger: Ocrelizumab access unavailable / inflammatory youngerPROMISE signal subgroup
- 3. baclofen10-20 mg PO TID • PO • TIDtrigger: SpasticityAAN 2024
- 4. tizanidine2-8 mg PO TID • PO • TIDtrigger: Spasticity baclofen-intolerantAAN 2024
- 5. oxybutynin5 mg BID-TID • PO • BID-TIDtrigger: BladderAUA 2024
- 6. mirabegron50 mg daily • PO • dailytrigger: Anticholinergic-intolerantAUA 2024
- 7. amantadine100 mg BID • PO • BIDtrigger: FatigueAAN 2024
- 8. modafinil100-200 mg morning • PO • morningtrigger: Amantadine-intolerantAAN 2024
- 9. sertraline50-100 mg daily • PO • dailytrigger: DepressionAPA 2024
- 10. Nuedexta20/10 mg BID • PO • BIDtrigger: PBATRANSIT
- 11. dalfampridine10 mg BID • PO • BIDtrigger: Gait impairmentFDA-approved
Auto-drafted A&P note
outpatientSubjective
- Possible entry pathways: Progressive paraparesis or cord syndrome from onset ≥1 y without relapse (Lublin 2014 PMID 24871874 NEEDS_SOURCE_REVIEW); Cervical cord-dominant progressive syndrome — MRI shows cord atrophy + cord lesions, minimal brain; Cognitive-dominant PPMS — frontal/subcortical pattern without relapse.
Objective
- No vitals, labs, or imaging entered for this encounter.
Assessment
**Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis** (neuro.ms-ppms.v1). Phenotype framing: PPMS vs NMOSD vs MOGAD vs HTLV-1 TSP vs B12/copper deficiency vs hereditary spastic paraparesis vs ALS vs cervical spondylotic myelopathy vs vascular myelopathy (AAN 2024) Scope: Confirm PPMS — ≥1 y progressive disability from onset + no prior relapse; rule out mimics; active vs non-active classification per Lublin 2014 (PMID 24871874) No severity triggers fired against current inputs.
Plan
Regimen axis: **PPMS DMT — ocrelizumab ORATORIO first-line for active PPMS (PMID 28002688)** — step "Step 1 — Active PPMS — ocrelizumab ORATORIO". 1. ocrelizumab 300 mg IV × 2 (2 weeks apart) then 600 mg IV q6 months IV q6 months (anti_CD20_mAb, first line) — ORATORIO (Montalban NEJM 2017 PMID 28002688 NEEDS_SOURCE_REVIEW) — first and only FDA-approved DMT for PPMS; 24% RR reduction 12-wk CDP; ARR + MRI improvement; hypogammaglobulinemia surveillance 2. rituximab (off-label) 1000 mg IV × 2 (2 weeks apart) then q6 months IV q6 months (anti_CD20_mAb, second line) — PROMISE (Hawker Ann Neurol 2009 PMID 19847908 NEEDS_SOURCE_REVIEW) — negative overall but signal in younger inflammatory subgroup; off-label in MS Setting playbook (outpatient) — MS clinic q3-6 mo — ocrelizumab for active PPMS, symptomatic management, neurorehab coordination, depression + cognition screening, advance directives at EDSS ≥7 (AAN 2024) 3. ocrelizumab (active PPMS) 300 mg IV × 2 then 600 mg IV q6 mo IV infusion q6 mo — Active PPMS age ≤55 EDSS ≤6.5 (ORATORIO PMID 28002688) 4. rituximab (off-label) 1000 mg IV × 2 then q6 mo IV q6 mo — Ocrelizumab access unavailable / inflammatory younger (PROMISE signal subgroup) 5. baclofen 10-20 mg PO TID PO TID — Spasticity (AAN 2024) 6. tizanidine 2-8 mg PO TID PO TID — Spasticity baclofen-intolerant (AAN 2024) 7. oxybutynin 5 mg BID-TID PO BID-TID — Bladder (AUA 2024) 8. mirabegron 50 mg daily PO daily — Anticholinergic-intolerant (AUA 2024) 9. amantadine 100 mg BID PO BID — Fatigue (AAN 2024) 10. modafinil 100-200 mg morning PO morning — Amantadine-intolerant (AAN 2024) 11. sertraline 50-100 mg daily PO daily — Depression (APA 2024) 12. Nuedexta 20/10 mg BID PO BID — PBA (TRANSIT) 13. dalfampridine 10 mg BID PO BID — Gait impairment (FDA-approved) Non-pharmacologic actions: - PT/OT bid-weekly - Cognitive rehab if SDMT decline - Spasticity clinic (BTX, intrathecal pump consideration) - Urology + urodynamics - Pelvic floor PT - SLP for dysphagia - Vocational rehab - Wheelchair/scooter fitting - Caregiver support + respite - Advance directives at EDSS ≥7 - Palliative referral at severe disability AVOID / contraindication checks: - Ocrelizumab_age_gt_55_FDA_label_limit (FDA label) - Ocrelizumab_EDSS_gt_6.5_FDA_label_limit (FDA label) - Ocrelizumab_no_active_disease_FDA_label_not_indicated (FDA label) - HBV_screen_before_ocrelizumab_reactivation (AAN 2024) - VZV_screen_and_vaccinate_before_ocrelizumab (AAN 2024) - TB_quantiferon_before_ocrelizumab (AAN 2024) - Hypogammaglobulinemia_surveillance_ocrelizumab (AAN 2024) - Infusion_reaction_pre_medicate_methylprednisolone_antihistamine_acetaminophen (FDA label) - Vaccinations_4_to_6_wk_before_ocrelizumab (AAN 2024) - Cyclophosphamide_bladder_bone_marrow_infertility_secondary_malignancy (AAN 2024) - Rituximab_off_label_in_MS_no_FDA_approval (AAN 2024)
Monitoring
Regimen monitoring: - CBC lymphocyte count q3 to 6 mo (AAN 2024) - LFT q3 to 6 mo (AAN 2024) - IgG annually on ocrelizumab (AAN 2024) - annual brain MRI with gad (AAN 2024) - annual cervical cord MRI (AAN 2024) - EDSS at each visit (schema-blocked — see depth bundle) - SDMT T25FW 9HPT annually MSFC (schema-blocked) - infection surveillance (AAN 2024) Setting (outpatient) monitoring: - EDSS + MSFC q3-6 mo (schema-blocked) - Annual MRI - CBC + LFT q3-6 mo - IgG annually - PVR + UA q6 mo if catheterizing Follow-up plan: PT/OT/SLP; spasticity clinic + intrathecal baclofen pump; pulmonary FVC surveillance; palliative + advance directives at EDSS ≥7; caregiver support (AAN 2024) - Close-out criterion: Multidisciplinary follow-up scheduled Monitoring phase: CBC + LFT q3-6 mo; IgG annually; annual MRI brain + cord; EDSS / SDMT / T25FW / 9HPT (schema-blocked) at each visit; pressure injury surveillance; UA + bladder scan q6 mo; depression + cognitive screen annually (AAN 2024)
Disposition
Current setting: outpatient — MS clinic q3-6 mo — ocrelizumab for active PPMS, symptomatic management, neurorehab coordination, depression + cognition screening, advance directives at EDSS ≥7 (AAN 2024) Disposition criteria: - Continue indefinite MS clinic q3-6 mo - Home health intensification at decline - LTC at EDSS ≥7.5 with caregiver inability - Hospice at severe + recurrent + goals-of-care aligned Escalation triggers (move to higher acuity): - Rare acute relapse → route to neuro.ms-flare.core.v1 - Continued progression on ocrelizumab → cyclophosphamide consideration - Severe pressure injury → admit - Aspiration / pulmonary decline → admit - Refractory spasticity → intrathecal pump - Refractory bladder → BTX + cath program - Severe depression → ED + psych - Infusion reaction → stop + emergency Rx
Earlier-Return Triggers
Return-precaution thresholds (watch for): - [LIFE_THREATENING] NMOSD mimic — LETM > 3 cord segments OR bilateral optic neuritis → AQP4-IgG + MOG-IgG urgent; AVOID IFN/natalizumab (worsen NMOSD) - [SEVERE] Classic PPMS — middle-age male with insidious progressive paraparesis from onset ≥1 y without relapse (Lublin 2014 PMID 24871874) - [SEVERE] Active PPMS — gad+ lesion OR new T2 in past 12 mo OR rare relapse → ocrelizumab ORATORIO-eligible (PMID 28002688)
Citations
- AAN 2024 MS DMT guideline + ECTRIMS 2024 + ORATORIO ocrelizumab PPMS (Montalban NEJM 2017 PMID 28002688) [PMID:28002688](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28002688/) - Cited evidence (PMID 19847908) [PMID:19847908](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19847908/) - Cited evidence (PMID 24871874) [PMID:24871874](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24871874/) - Cited evidence (PMID 29275977) [PMID:29275977](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29275977/) - Cited evidence (PMID 26092914) [PMID:26092914](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26092914/) Last reconciled with current guidelines: 2026-05-22.
- AAN 2024 MS DMT guideline + ECTRIMS 2024 + ORATORIO ocrelizumab PPMS (Montalban NEJM 2017 PMID 28002688) — PMID:28002688
- Cited evidence (PMID 19847908) — PMID:19847908
- Cited evidence (PMID 24871874) — PMID:24871874
- Cited evidence (PMID 29275977) — PMID:29275977
- Cited evidence (PMID 26092914) — PMID:26092914