Ada Francia

Abortion induces reactivation of inflammation in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Objective To investigate clinical and radiological outcomes of women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) undergoing abortion. Methods An independent, multicentre retrospective study was conducted collecting data from eight Italian MS centres. We compared the preconception and postabortion annualised relapse rate (ARR) and number of Gadolinium enhancing (Gd+) lesions, by analyses of covariance. Variables associated with postabortion clinical and MRI activity were investigated using Poisson regression models; each abortion was considered as a statistical unit. Results From 1995 to 2017, we observed 188 abortions (17 elective) in 153 women with RRMS. Abortions occurred after a mean time of 9.5 (4.4) weeks from estimated conception date. In 86 events out of 188, conception happened during treatment with disease modifying drugs. The mean postabortion ARR (0.63±0.74) was significantly increased (p=0.037) compared with the preconception year (0.50±0.71) as well as the postabortion mean number of new Gd+ lesions (0.77±1.40 vs 0.39±1.04; p=0.004). Higher likelihood of relapses was predicted by higher preconception ARR, discontinuation of preconception treatment and elective abortion; the occurrence of new Gd+ lesions was associated with higher preconception number of active lesions, discontinuation of preconception treatment, shorter length of pregnancy maintenance and elective abortion. Conclusions Abortion was associated with clinical and radiological inflammatory rebound remarkably in the first 12 months postevent. Deregulated proinflammatory processes arising at the early stages of pregnancy might play a role both in MS reactivation and abortion. Women with MS should be counselled about these risks of abortion and followed up accordingly.

A 12-month prospective, observational study evaluating the impact of disease-modifying treatment on emotional burden in recently-diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients: The POSIDONIA study

INTRODUCTION Depression and anxiety are common among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and are frequently present at the time of MS diagnosis. METHODS POSIDONIA was a 12-month, observational, prospective study conducted in Italy to evaluate the impact of disease-modifying treatment (DMT) on emotional burden in patients with recently-diagnosed MS. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), specifically HADS anxiety (HADS-A) and depression (HADS-D) subscale scores, the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and the Impact of Event Scale - Revised (IES-R) were used to measure patient-reported outcomes. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), HDRS-17, was used as a measure of healthcare provider-reported outcomes. The primary study outcome was change from baseline in feelings of anxiety and depression over 12months (via HADS). RESULTS Of 250 enrolled patients, 222 (88.8%) completed the study. At baseline, mean HADS total, HADS-A and HADS-D subscale scores were within the normal range. There were no significant changes over time in mean HADS total and HADS-A and HADS-D subscale scores, although the subgroup of patients with baseline scores indicative of anxiety or depression tended to improve over time. Both the HDRS and IES-R total scores improved over time, but there were no statistically significant changes in SF-36. CONCLUSION In the patient population of the POSIDONIA study depression and anxiety were present in a minority of patients thus not allowing to detect the impact of starting DMT. However DMT appears to have a positive effect in patients with measurable anxiety or depression at baseline.