scholarly journals Switching treatments in clinically stable relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients planning for pregnancy

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 205521732110015
Author(s):  
Lubna Almouzain ◽  
Fiona Stevenson ◽  
Declan Chard ◽  
Nur Abdul Rahman ◽  
Fiona Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Disease Modifying Drugs ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Mother And Child ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Background The decision to have children can be complex, particularly for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). A key concern is the use of disease modifying drugs (DMDs) during pregnancy, and how continuing, stopping or switching them may affect the mother and child. In people with active MS, stopping medications puts the mother at risk of relapse and disease rebound. Objectives Review evidence on the effect of different switching strategies in people with stable relapsing remitting MS (RRMS). Methods We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCARE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library up to March 2020. Only papers in English were included and no other limits were applied. Seven articles were included: four cohorts, two case reports and one randomized controlled trial (RCT). Results Two strategies were found: de-escalating, which was associated with an increased risk of relapses, and switching between first line injectables, with no change in relapse rate observed. Conclusion Evidence on the effect of switching strategy on disease course in stable RRMS patients planning for pregnancy is scarce, but when switching, current evidence suggests the risk of relapses mirrors known medication efficacy.

Challenges in Treating Chlamydia trachomatis, Including Rectal Infections: Is It Time to Go Back to Doxycycline?

2021 ◽  
pp. 106002802110299
Author(s):  
S. Lena Kang-Birken
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Treatment Failure ◽  
English Language ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Absolute Difference ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Meta Analyses

Objective: To evaluate recent publications on efficacy of single-dose azithromycin and 7-day doxycycline when treating Chlamydia trachomatis. Data Sources: A literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane library was conducted (1990 to June 13, 2021) using the terms: Chlamydia trachomatis, genital chlamydia, rectal chlamydia, extragenital chlamydia, azithromycin, doxycycline, and treatment guidelines. ClinicalTrials.gov was searched to identify ongoing trials. Study Selection and Data Extraction: English language studies, including controlled studies, retrospective analyses, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and case reports, reporting microbiological or clinical outcomes in adolescents and adults were considered. Data Synthesis: Systemic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized trials reported azithromycin efficacy of 96% to 97% in genital chlamydia. However, reports of treatment failure have emerged, especially among symptomatic males, with an increased risk of microbiological failure after azithromycin than doxycycline (relative risk = 2.45; 95% CI = 1.36-4.41). Retrospective analyses and prospective observational cohort studies reported lower efficacy range following azithromycin than doxycycline (74%-87% vs 92%-100%, respectively) in rectal chlamydia. First randomized controlled trial comparing azithromycin and doxycycline reported significantly higher microbiological cure following doxycycline, with absolute difference of 26% (95% CI = 16%-36%; P < 0.001). The proposed 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention treatment guidelines designate doxycycline as the preferred agent for treatment at any site. Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice: A growing body of evidence for treatment failure following azithromycin, especially in rectal chlamydia supports updating current practice. Conclusions: Doxycycline continues to achieve high efficacy in genital and rectal chlamydia. Clinicians should consider efficacy with convenience of dosing regimen, medication compliance, and sexual behavior risks when treating chlamydia infections.

Blood miRNA expression pattern is a possible risk marker for natalizumab-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in multiple sclerosis patients

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (14) ◽  
pp. 1851-1859 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Muñoz-Culla ◽  
H Irizar ◽  
T Castillo-Triviño ◽  
M Sáenz-Cuesta ◽  
L Sepúlveda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy ◽  
Differential Expression ◽  
Expression Pattern ◽  
Mirna Expression ◽  
Disease Biomarkers ◽  
Mirna Expression Pattern ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Background: Natalizumab has shown its efficacy in reducing multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses and progression of disability; however, it has been associated with an increased risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). The differential expression of microRNA (miRNA), the small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, in natalizumab-treated patients has been reported and miRNA have also been described as good candidates for disease biomarkers. Objective: To characterize the effect of natalizumab therapy on the miRNA expression pattern and to search for miRNAs that can predict PML on an individual basis. Methods: The expression of 754 microRNAs was measured in blood samples from 19 relapsing–remitting MS patients at three time points during natalizumab therapy, using TaqMan OpenArray panels. Two patients included in this study developed PML after more than 2 years of therapy. Results: We found that the expression level of three miRNAs (let-7c, miR-125a-5p and miR-642) was affected after 6 months of therapy (t6). Furthermore, we observed a differential expression of another three miRNAs (miR-320, miR-320b and miR-629) between the PML and non-PML groups after 12 months of treatment (t12); and a positive correlation was found between therapy time and the expression of miR-320. Conclusions: Natalizumab modified the expression levels of three miRNAs after a 6-month treatment. We suggest miR-320, miR-320b and miR-629 as possible biomarkers for individual PML risk assessment.

scholarly journals Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients' Experience with Natalizumab

2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen E. Miller ◽  
Mary Karpinski ◽  
Mary Ann Jezewski
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
New York ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Treatment Information ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Relapsing Remitting ◽  
Natalizumab Treatment ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis Patients ◽  
Patients Experience ◽  
Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

This phenomenological investigation was undertaken to gain a better understanding of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients' experience with natalizumab (Tysabri; Biogen Idec Inc, Cambridge, MA) treatment and its impact on their quality of life (QOL). Twenty MS patients who were receiving natalizumab treatment were recruited by the physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and social worker of the William C. Baird Multiple Sclerosis Center in Buffalo, New York, between March 2009 and November 2009. Patients were invited to participate if they had relapsing-remitting MS, had received at least six treatments of natalizumab, and could articulate their experience. An interviewer obtained informed consent, gathered basic demographic information, and then tape-recorded the participants' accounts of their experience with natalizumab. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and de-identified before being submitted to the investigators for analysis. The Atlas.ti qualitative data analysis program (Scolari, Berlin, Germany) was used to manage the data. Patients found natalizumab easy to tolerate and effective; moreover, they described improvement in their QOL. Patients must weigh the benefits of control of their MS against the increased risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy with natalizumab treatment. Information from this study will be used to educate professionals involved in MS patient care as well as patients and families considering treatment with natalizumab.

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