Mariangela D'Onghia

Geographical variations in sex ratio trends over time in multiple sclerosis

Background A female/male (F/M) ratio increase over time in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients was demonstrated in many countries around the world. So far, a direct comparison of sex ratio time-trends among MS populations from different geographical areas was not carried out. Objective In this paper we assessed and compared sex ratio trends, over a 60-year span, in MS populations belonging to different latitudinal areas. Methods Data of a cohort of 15,996 (F = 11,290; M = 4,706) definite MS with birth years ranging from 1930 to 1989 were extracted from the international MSBase registry and the New Zealand MS database. Gender ratios were calculated by six decades based on year of birth and were adjusted for the F/M born-alive ratio derived from the respective national registries of births. Results Adjusted sex ratios showed a significant increase from the first to the last decade in the whole MS sample (from 2.35 to 2.73; p = 0.03) and in the subgroups belonging to the areas between 83° N and 45° N (from 1.93 to 4.55; p<0.0001) and between 45° N to 35° N (from 1.46 to 2.30; p<0.05) latitude, while a sex ratio stability over time was found in the subgroup from areas between 12° S and 55° S latitude. The sex ratio increase mainly affected relapsing-remitting (RR) MS. Conclusions Our results confirm a general sex ratio increase over time in RRMS and also demonstrate a latitudinal gradient of this increase. These findings add useful information for planning case-control studies aimed to explore sex-related factors responsible for MS development.

Impact of Natalizumab on Cognitive Performances and Fatigue in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis: A Prospective, Open-Label, Two Years Observational Study

Background and Objectives Natalizumab reduces the relapse rate and magnetic resonance imaging activity in patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). So far the influence of natalizumab on cognitive functions and fatigue in MS remains uncertain. The aim of this prospective, open-label, observational study was to evaluate the possible effects of natalizumab on cognition and fatigue measures in RRMS patients treated for up to two years. Methods Cognitive performances were examined by the Raos Brief Repeatable Battery (BRB), the Stroop test (ST) and the Cognitive Impairment Index (CII), every 12 months. Patients who failed in at least 3 tests of the BRB and the ST were classified as cognitively impaired (CI). Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) was administered every 12 months to assess patients self-reported fatigue. One hundred and 53 patients completed 1 and 2 year-natalizumab treatment, respectively. Results After 1 year of treatment the percentage of CI patients decreased from 29% (29/100) at baseline to 19% (19/100) (p = 0.031) and the mean baseline values of CII (13.52±6.85) and FSS (4.01±1.63) scores were significantly reduced (10.48±7.12, p<0.0001 and 3.61±1.56, p = 0.008). These significant effects were confirmed in the subgroup of patients treated up to two years. Conclusions These results demonstrate that a short-term NTZ treatment may significantly improve cognitive performances and fatigue in RRMS patients.

Post-marketing of disease modifying drugs in multiple sclerosis: an exploratory analysis of gender effect in interferon beta treatment.

BACKGROUND There are a few and conflicting results from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) pertaining to the influence of gender in response to currently used disease modifying drugs in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Observational studies may be especially valuable for answering effectiveness questions in subgroups not studied in RCTs. OBJECTIVE To conduct a post-marketing analysis aimed to evaluate the gender effect on Interferon beta (IFNbeta) treatment response in a cohort of relapsing (RR) MS patients. METHODS A cohort of 2570 IFNbeta-treated RRMS was prospectively followed for up to 7 years in 15 Italian MS Centers. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess gender differences for risk of reaching 1st relapse and risk of progression by 1 point on Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score. Gender effects were also explored by a propensity score (PS) matching algorithm, and a tree-growing technique. RESULTS The multivariate Cox Regression analyses showed that male patients had a significant (p=0.0097) lower risk for 1st relapse and a trend (p=0.0897) for a higher risk to reach 1 point EDSS progression than females. The PS matched multivariate Cox Regression confirmed these results. The RECPAM analysis showed that male sex conferred a significant reduction in the risk for 1st relapse (HR=0.86; 95% CI=0.76-0.98; p=0.0226) in the subgroup with a low pre-treatment number of bouts, and a significant increase in the risk for 1 point EDSS progression (HR=1.33; 95% CI: 1.00-1.76; p<0.05) in the subgroup with a delayed treatment, but a still young age at the start of treatment. CONCLUSION The results of this exploratory analysis seem to suggest that male patients do not respond to IFNbeta treatment in the same way of females.

Long‐term cardiac safety and tolerability of fingolimod in multiple sclerosis: A postmarketing study

Fingolimod is the first oral disease‐modifying therapy approved for multiple sclerosis (MS). The risks associated with the use of fingolimod include cardiovascular adverse events (AEs). First‐dose observation (FDO) is required for all patients for at least 6 hours. We describe FDO data and long‐term cardiac tolerability in a cohort of fingolimod‐treated relapsing MS patients. Two hundred and twelve patients started fingolimod 0.5 mg once daily. Before the first administration, all subjects had an electrocardiogram (ECG) with cardiologist interpretation. Following administration they were monitored for 6 hours and underwent a cardiac monitoring every 3 months. In this cohort, there was a heart rate reduction at the VI hour of 9.6 ± 8 beats per minute (P < .001). Fifty‐four individuals (25.5%) presented an abnormal ECG during the 6 hours. We experienced 1 case (0.22%) of symptomatic second‐degree atrioventricular block. The mean follow‐up period was 1.5 ± 0.7 years. During this period, 1 patient showed atrial fibrillation that needed to be treated. We also observed 5 cases of persistent increase in blood pressure. This postmarketing study shows that fingolimod is well tolerated and tha tcardiologic AEs are generally self‐limited in the long term.

Brainstem PML lesion mimicking MS plaque in a natalizumab-treated MS patient

A 47-year-old woman with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), treated with natalizumab for 14 months, reported dysphagia. Brain MRI demonstrated small fluid-attenuated inversion recovery–hyperintense T1-hypointense unenhancing lesions of the right pons and left medulla initially interpreted as new MS plaques (figure 1), but increased and became confluent over 3 months (figure 2). CSF demonstrated the presence of JC virus (4,015 DNA copies).

Long-Term Data of Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability in a Real-Life Setting of THC/CBD Oromucosal Spray-Treated Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)/cannabidiol (CBD) oromucosal spray was approved as add‐on therapy for spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We show our 40‐week postmarketing experience regarding efficacy and safety of THC/CBD spray in an Italian cohort of 102 MS patients. Patients were evaluated using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for spasticity, the Ambulation Index (AI), and Timed 25‐Foot Walk (T25‐FW) at the beginning of treatment and then every 3 months. After 4 weeks, if a clinically significant improvement in spasticity (at least 20% of baseline NRS score) was not seen, administration of the drug was stopped. In our cohort, patients received an average of 6.5 ± 1.6 sprays each day. The mean reduction to the NRS spasticity score was 2.5 ± 1.2 points (P < .0001). Thirty‐seven patients (36.2%) discontinued the treatment. The incidence of adverse events (AEs) was 40.2%. Fifty‐eight patients (56.9%) were also assessed using the NRS for pain, and 46 patients (45.1%) with bladder dysfunction were assessed for the IPSS (International Prostatic Symptoms Score) score, showing a significant improvement in these scales (P = .011 and P = .001, respectively). In conclusion, treatment with THC/CBD spray appears to be a valid answer to some of the unmet needs in MS patients, such as spasticity and other refractory‐to‐treatment symptoms.

Lymphocyte subsets as biomarkers of therapeutic response in Fingolimod treated Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis patients

We investigated, lymphocyte count (LC) and lymphocyte subpopulations (LS) in a real life setting of Fingolimod (FTY) treated Relapsing MS (RMS) patients. Peripheral blood counts with LS, relapses and MRI scans were recorded in a cohort of 119 FTY patients, during one year of treatment. Simple and multivariate logistic regression models, were performed. ROC analysis identified cut-off values of LS predicting a higher risk of relapses and of Gd+ lesions. We demonstrated a FTY-induced re-modulation of the immune system, suggesting that LS in RMS FTY treated patients can predict the clinical response to the drug.

The Cost of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients Who Develop Neutralizing Antibodies during Interferon Beta Therapy

Background Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) patients treated with interferon beta (IFN beta) can develop neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) that reduce treatment efficacy. Several clinical studies explored the association of NAb+ status with increased disease activity. Objective The aim of this study was to estimate the cost of RRMS patients who develop NAbs while treated with IFN beta by the Italian National Healthcare Service (NHS) and the Italian Society perspectives. Methods The clinical data derived from a published observational study on 567 RRMS Italian patients treated with IFN beta. The management cost data derived from the published literature. Cost data were inflated to Euro 2014. Results The annual direct cost to treat a patient was estimated in €15,428 in the NAb+ cohort and €14,317 in the NAb- cohort. The annual societal cost was estimated in €33,890 and €30,790 in NAb+ and NAb- patients, respectively. The cost increase related to the NAb+ status was €3,100 in the Italian societal perspective and €1,111 in the Italian NHS perspective. Conclusion The results of this economic evaluation suggest the presence of an association between NAb+ status and increased costs for the management of RRMS in Italy. Further pharmacoeconomic research will be needed to confirm this first result.