scholarly journals Early Clinical Features, Time to Secondary Progression, and Disability Milestones in Polish Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Łukasz Rzepiński ◽  
Monika Zawadka-Kunikowska ◽  
Zdzisław Maciejek ◽  
Julia L. Newton ◽  
Paweł Zalewski

Background and Objectives: Determining the clinical course of multiple sclerosis (MS) and prediction of long-term disability can be a big challenge. To determine early clinical features of MS, their influence on long-term disability progression, and time to transition from relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) to secondary progressive MS (SPMS), a cohort of Polish patients was studied. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 375 Polish MS patients based on data from available medical records. We assessed early clinical MS features and the relationship between demographics and time from disease onset to attainment of 4 and 6 points on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), as well as time to conversion from RRMS to SPMS. Results: The differences between initial MS variants were significantly associated with gender, age at disease onset, number and type of the first symptoms, and rate of the disability accrual. Mean times from disease onset to attainment of EDSS 4 and 6 were significantly influenced by the disease variant, age at onset, gender, degree of recovery from the initial symptoms, and first inter-bouts interval. The mean time to secondary progression was significantly influenced by the number and type of the first symptoms of RRMS. Conclusions: Early clinical features of MS are important in determining the disease variant, the time to transition from RRMS to SPMS, as well as predicting the disability accumulation of patients. Despite the small differences regarding the first MS symptoms, the disability outcomes in the cohort of Polish patients are similar to other regions of the world.

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Viswanathan ◽  
N. Rose ◽  
A. Masita ◽  
J. S. Dhaliwal ◽  
S. D. Puvanarajah ◽  
...  

Background. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an uncommon disease in multiracial Malaysia. Diagnosing patients with idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating diseases has been greatly aided by the evolution in diagnostic criterion, the identification of new biomarkers, and improved accessibility to neuroimaging in the country.Objectives. To investigate the spectrum of multiple sclerosis in Malaysia.Methods. Retrospective analysis with longitudinal follow-up of patients referred to a single tertiary medical center with neurology services in Malaysia.Results. Out of 245 patients with idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disease, 104 patients had multiple sclerosis. Female to male ratio was 5 : 1. Mean age at onset was 28.6 ± 9.9 years. The Malays were the predominant racial group affected followed by the Chinese, Indians, and other indigenous groups. Subgroup analysis revealed more Chinese having neuromyelitis optica and its spectrum disorders rather than multiple sclerosis. Positive family history was reported in 5%. Optic neuritis and myelitis were the commonest presentations at onset of disease, and relapsing remitting course was the commonest disease pattern observed. Oligoclonal band positivity was 57.6%. At disease onset, 61.5% and 66.4% fulfilled the 2005 and 2010 McDonald’s criteria for dissemination in space. Mean cord lesion length was 1.86 ± 1.65 vertebral segments in the relapsing remitting group as opposed to 6.25 ± 5.18 vertebral segments in patients with neuromyelitis optica and its spectrum disorders.Conclusion. The spectrum of multiple sclerosis in Malaysia has changed over the years. Further advancement in diagnostic criteria will no doubt continue to contribute to the evolution of this disease here.


2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Leray ◽  
M Coustans ◽  
E Le Page ◽  
J Yaouanq ◽  
J Oger ◽  
...  

Background: Benign multiple sclerosis (BMS) is a controversial concept which is still debated. However identification of this kind of patients is crucial to prevent them from unnecessary exposure to aggressive and/or long term medical treatments. Objectives: To assess two definitions of ‘clinically definite benign multiple sclerosis’ (CDBMS) using long-term follow-up data, and to look for prognostic factors of CDBMS. Methods: In 874 patients with definite relapsing–remitting MS, followed up for at least 10 years, disability was assessed using the Disability Status Scale (DSS). CDBMS was defined by either DSS score≤2 (CDBMS1 group) or DSS score≤ 3 (CDBMS2 group) at 10 years. We estimated the proportion of patients who were still benign at 20 and 30 years after clinical onset. Results: CDBMS frequency estimates were 57.7% and 73.9% when using CDBMS1 and CDBMS2 definitions, respectively. In the CDBMS1 group, only 41.7% (105/252) of cases were still benign 10 years later, and 41.1% (23/56) after an additional decade, while there were 53.8% (162/301) and 59.5% (44/74) respectively in the CDBMS2 group. Conclusions: This 30-year observational study, which is one of the largest published series, indicates that favourable 10-year disability scores of DSS 2 or 3 fail to ensure a long-term benign course of multiple sclerosis. After every decade almost half of the CDBMS were no longer benign. CDBMS, as currently defined, is an unwarranted conceptual hodgepodge. Other criteria using new biomarkers (genetic, biologic or MRI) should be found to detect benign cases of MS.


2008 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 494-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron Miller ◽  
Vincent Spada ◽  
Dorothy Beerkircher ◽  
Rivka Riven Kreitman

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of long-term glatiramer acetate (GA) therapy, 46 patients with relapsing—remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) were treated for up to 22 years in an ongoing, open-label study. Kurtzke expanded disability status scale (EDSS) was measured every six months, relapses were reported at occurrence and patients self-reported adverse events (AEs). At GA initiation, disease durations ranged from 0—20 years (median 6.0 years) and at data cut-off (October 2004), GA therapy duration ranged from 1—22 years (median 12.0 years). Mean EDSS score increased 0.9 ± 1.9 from the pretreatment score (3.0 ± 1.8; P = 0.076). Only 10/28 (36%) patients with baseline EDSS <4.0 had a last observed value ≥ 4.0 and 8/34 (24%) with entry EDSS < 6.0 reached EDSS ≥ 6.0. A majority (57%) maintained improved or unchanged EDSS scores. Annualized relapse rate decreased to 0.1 ± 0.2 from 2.9 ± 1.4 prestudy ( P < 0.0001). Of the 18 remaining patients in October 2004 (average disease duration 23 years), 17% with baseline EDSS scores < 4.0 reached EDSS ≥ 4.0 and 28% with baseline scores < 6.0 reached EDSS ≥ 6.0. Adverse events were similar to those reported in short-term clinical trials. This study shows a low rate of relapses and EDSS progression in RRMS patients on GA for up to 22 years. Multiple Sclerosis 2008; 14: 494—499. http://msj.sagepub.com


2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 817-821 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Gonsette ◽  
Marc Debouverie ◽  
Christian Sindic ◽  
Jean-Christophe Ferré ◽  
Gilles Edan

Background: Mitoxantrone has been approved for patients with worsening relapsing–remitting (RR) or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS), but its long-term use is limited by its cardiotoxicity. Pixantrone (PIX) is an analog of mitoxantrone. Objectives: The aim of this open-label, multicenter, noncomparative Phase I/II trial was to explore the immunosuppressive effect of PIX, its impact on clinical disease activity and cerebral gadolinium-enhanced (Gd+) lesions, and its safety. Methods: Eighteen patients with active RRMS and SPMS (⩾ 1 cerebral Gd+ lesion) despite approved immunomodulatory therapy received four intravenous PIX injections every 21 days. A neurological examination, hematology, lymphocyte subsets, and biochemistry were performed at Day 1, Weeks 3, 6 and 9, and Months 3, 6, 9 and 12. Echocardiography was performed before each infusion, at Months 3, 6 and 12. Cerebral MRI was performed at baseline, and at Months 6 and 12. Results: CD19+ cells were reduced by 95% at Month 3 and by 47% at Month 12. Gd+ lesions were reduced by 86% at Month 12 ( p = 0.01). The annual relapse rate was reduced by 87% ( p < 10−4). Two patients experienced a transient reduction in left ventricular fraction. Conclusion: These preliminary data indicate the efficacy of PIX in active RRMS and SPMS.


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