Effect of Fingolimod on Lymphocyte Subsets in Patients With Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis.

Background and aim Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). This study aims to evaluate the effect of fingolimod on T and B lymphocytes in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. Method Multiple sclerosis patients were selected from patients who were scheduled to start medication at the outpatient clinic of Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey, between February 2019 and February 2022.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Heavy Metals (Cadmium, Arsenic, and Lead) and Metallothionein in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background And Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological disorders. Metals are important for the maintenance and preservation of homeostasis and dysregulated metal homeostasis has an impact on neurodegeneration. Environmental factors are considered to contribute to MS risk and progression.

Evaluation of mental performance and cognitive functions of children and adolescents diagnosed with radiologically isolated syndrome.

Background: Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) is a condition characterized by asymptomatic, incidentally detected demyelinating plaques in the CNS in a patient without typical clinical findings of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aimed to compare the mental status and cognitive functions of child and adolescent RIS cases with healthy controls and to investigate the relationship between psychometric test results and the demyelinating lesion characteristics.

Methods: The mental status and cognitive functions of 12 RIS cases and 12 healthy controls were compared.

Prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis in Turkey: A nationwide epidemiologic study.

Background: Many studies on multiple sclerosis (MS) reveal different prevalence and epidemiologic results.

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to determine the epidemiologic profile of MS using official health records in Turkey.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with MS from the official health data of the Ministry of Health, representing the entire population of Turkey, were included in the study.

Volumetric and Asymmetric Index Analysis of Subcortical Structures in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Retrospective Study Using volBrain Software.

Introduction Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and autoimmune disease that has a significant influence on the central nervous system, such as the brain and spinal cord, affecting millions of individuals globally. Understanding the connection between subcortical brain regions and MS is crucial for effective diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for treating this disabling disease. This study explores the relationship between volume and contours of asymmetry index of subcortical brain regions in individuals with MS using volBrain software (https://www.

Retinal and Choroidal Vascularity Evaluation in Pediatric Radiologically Isolated Syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: To assess vessel density (VD) and flow of retinal plexuses and peripapillary region related with the pediatric radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: We analyzed 24 eyes of 12 participants with the diagnosis of RIS, 24 eyes of 12 participants with the diagnosis of MS, and 26 eyes of 13 age- and sex-matched healthy controls in this prospective, cross-sectional study. The superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus, foveal avascular zone, and the flow of choriocapillaris were investigated using optical coherence tomography angiography.

A Preliminary Study on the Meaning of Inflammatory Indexes in MS: A Neda-Based Approach.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and axonal degeneration. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between inflammatory indexes and MS disease activity and progression.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at the Kocaeli University Neurology Clinic, involving 108 patients diagnosed with MS.

Severe disease reactivation in seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders patients after stopping eculizumab treatment.

Introduction: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) is an autoimmune, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system affecting the optic nerves and spinal cord. Most NMOSD patients have autoantibodies against the astrocyte water channel protein aquaporin-4 (AQP4). Eculizumab treatment is used effectively and safely in AQP4-IgG+ NMOSD.

The Effect of Smoking on Inactivated and mRNA Vaccine Responses Applied to Prevent COVİD-19 in Multiple Sclerosis.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the biggest health challenge of recent times. Studies so far reveal that vaccination is the only way to prevent this pandemic. There may be factors that decrease or increase vaccine effectiveness.

Teriflunomide and Time to Clinical Multiple Sclerosis in Patients With Radiologically Isolated Syndrome: The TERIS Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) represents the earliest detectable preclinical phase of multiple sclerosis (MS) punctuated by incidental magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) white matter anomalies within the central nervous system.

Objective: To determine the time to onset of symptoms consistent with MS.

Design, Setting, And Participants: From September 2017 to October 2022, this multicenter, double-blind, phase 3, randomized clinical trial investigated the efficacy of teriflunomide in delaying MS in individuals with RIS, with a 3-year follow-up.

Use of follow-on fingolimod for multiple sclerosis: Analysis of effectiveness and patient reported outcomes in a real-world clinical setting.

Background: Follow-on disease modifying therapies (FO-DMTs) do not always require Phase III studies. There are concerns that cheaper FO-DMTs are only used to reduce healthcare costs. However, the well-being of people with MS (pwMS) should be a priority.

Impact of COVID-19 vaccination or infection on disease activity in a radiologically isolated syndrome cohort: The VaxiRIS study.

Background: Vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with immunosuppressive drugs is highly recommended. Regarding COVID-19 vaccination, no specific concern has been raised.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate if COVID-19 vaccination or infection increased the risk of disease activity, either radiological or clinical, with conversion to MS in a cohort of people with a radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS).

Erratum: Clinical and Demographic Characteristics and Two-Year Efficacy and Safety Data of 508 Multiple Sclerosis Patients with Fingolimod Treatment.

[This corrects the article on p. 23 in vol. 60, PMID: 36911568.

Retrospective analysis of effectiveness of fingolimod in real life setting in Turkey (REFINE).

Background: During multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment different modes of action such as lateral (interferon beta to glatiramer acetate or glatiramer acetate to interferon beta) or vertical (interferon beta/glatiramer acetate to fingolimod) drug switch can be performed. This study aims to investigate the clinical effectiveness of switching from the first-line injectable disease modifying treatments (iDMTs) to fingolimod (FNG) compared to switching between first-line iDMTs.

Methods: This is a multicenter, observational and retrospective study of patients with relapsing-remitting MS who had lateral and vertical switch.

Clinical and Demographic Characteristics and Two-Year Efficacy and Safety Data of 508 Multiple Sclerosis Patients with Fingolimod Treatment.

Introduction: Fingolimod is the first oral immunomodulatory treatment used as secondary care therapy in the treatment of multiple sclerosis for the last 10 years. The objective of our study is to reveal the experiences of the first generic fingolimod active ingredient treatment in different centers across Turkey.

Method: The first generic fingolimod efficacy and safety data of patients followed-up in 29 different clinical multiple sclerosis units in Turkey were analyzed retrospectively.

The comparative effectiveness of fingolimod, natalizumab, and ocrelizumab in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Background: Fingolimod, natalizumab, and ocrelizumab are commonly used in the second-line treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). However, these have only been compared in observational studies, not in controlled trials, with limited and inconclusive results being reported. A comparison of their effect on relapse and disability in a real-world setting is therefore needed.

In vivo confocal microscopy of corneal nerve fiber damage in early course of multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the corneal nerve fiber morphology in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) by in vivo corneal confocal microscopy (CCM).

Methods: Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT), central macular thickness (CMT), corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD) and corneal nerve fiber tortuosity (CNFT) were measured. Correlation of corneal nerve findings with duration and clinical severity of MS was calculated.

A multiparametric score for assessing the individual risk of severe Covid-19 among patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Many risk factors for the development of severe forms of Covid-19 have been identified, some applying to the general population and others specific to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. However, a score for quantifying the individual risk of severe Covid-19 in patients with MS is not available. The aim of this study was to construct such score and to evaluate its performance.

The effect of cognitive performance on self-management behavior of multiple sclerosis patients.

Background: Difficulties of self-management in people with MS (pwMS) is considered as one of the most important factors contributing to low rehabilitation efficacy, more severe long-term complications and increase in healthcare costs. Despite the emergence of research in the last decade documenting causes, types, and course of cognitive difficulties in MS disease subtypes, limited evidence is available in the literature for direct comparison of self-management and cognitive deficits. In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between cognitive performance and self-management in pwMS.

The Turkish experience of COVID-19 infection in people with NMOSD and MOGAD: A milder course?

Background: COVID-19 is a multisystemic infection with variables consequences depending on individual and comorbid conditions. The course and outcomes of COVID-19 during neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disorders (MOGAD) are not clearly known.

Objective/methods: The aim of this study was to examine the features and outcomes of COVID-19 infection in NMOSD and MOGAD patients.

White Matter Evaluation in Multiple Sclerosis Through Magnetic Resonance Kurtosis Imaging.

Objectives: To investigate diffusional changes in multiple sclerosis (MS) plaques and non-Gaussian behavior of water diffusion by using diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI).

Methods: 31 MS patients and 21 controls underwent MRI on a 3T scanner. Mean kurtosis (MK) parametric maps were computed.

Comparative analysis of fingolimod versus teriflunomide in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Background: Fingolimod and teriflunomide are commonly used in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). These have not been compared in controlled trials, but only in observational studies, with inconclusive results. Comparison of their effect on relapse and disability in a real-world setting is therefore needed.