Pulmonary embolism in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with teriflunomide: A series of three cases.

Teriflunomide is an oral disease modifying therapy for patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. It is moderately effective while having a favourable safety profile with liver toxicity being the major concern. We present a series of three patients who developed pulmonary embolism within two years of initiation of teriflunomide treatment.

Impact of aerobic exercise on clinical and magnetic resonance imaging biomarkers in persons with multiple sclerosis: An exploratory randomized controlled trial.

Background: There is insufficient knowledge about how aerobic exercise impacts the disease process of multiple sclerosis, which is characterized by accumulation of white matter lesions and accelerated brain atrophy.

Objective: To examine the effect of aerobic exercise on neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration by magnetic resonance imaging and clinical measures of disease activity and progression in persons with multiple sclerosis.

Patients And Methods: An exploratory 12-week randomized control trial including an intervention group (n = 14, 12 weeks of aerobic exercise twice weekly) and a control group (n = 14, continuation of usual lifestyle).

Effectiveness and safety of alemtuzumab in the treatment of active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a multicenter, observational study.

Objective: So far, a limited number of real-world evidence studies about the effectiveness and safety of alemtuzumab (ALM) have been published, some of them with a relatively small number of included patients. We aimed to study the efficacy and safety of ALM in real-world clinical practice in two MS centers in Slovenia and Croatia.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of 71 consecutive patients with relapsing-remitting MS who were treated with ALM from 2015 till 2018.

Factors influencing daily treatment choices in multiple sclerosis: practice guidelines, biomarkers and burden of disease.

At two meetings of a Central European board of multiple sclerosis (MS) experts in 2018 and 2019 factors influencing daily treatment choices in MS, especially practice guidelines, biomarkers and burden of disease, were discussed. The heterogeneity of MS and the complexity of the available treatment options call for informed treatment choices. However, evidence from clinical trials is generally lacking, particularly regarding sequencing, switches and escalation of drugs.

Intravenous immunoglobulins for the prevention of postpartum relapses in multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) on prevention of postpartum relapses in women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Methods: This was a retrospective study performed in Ljubljana, Slovenia where the practice for all pregnant women with RRMS is to receive IVIG after the delivery (10 g monthly, during first 6 months after delivery) and in Zagreb, Croatia where no such practice exists. The following data were collected: date of delivery, maternal age at delivery, year of the RRMS diagnosis, EDSS, disease modifying therapy prior to pregnancy, relapses in the year prior, during and in the period of one year after pregnancy.

Visual but not verbal working memory interferes with balance in patients after optic neuritis suggestive of multiple sclerosis.

Background: Subtle cognitive deficits are present in almost half of the patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS). Similarly, subtle balance deficits can be detected at the earliest stages of the disease. To assess cognitive-motor interference (CMI) in nondisabled CIS patients, we studied postural performance using dual task paradigm in CIS patients presenting with optic neuritis.

Management of multiple sclerosis patients in central European countries: current needs and potential solutions.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) experts in Europe are facing rapidly rising demands of excellence due to the increasing complexity of MS therapy and management. A central European expert board of MS experts met to identify needs and obstacles with respect to raising quality of MS care in central and Eastern European countries. There are substantial variations across countries regarding delivery of care and its cost structure, as well as access to treatment.

Association of circadian rhythm genes ARNTL/BMAL1 and CLOCK with multiple sclerosis.

Prevalence of multiple sclerosis varies with geographic latitude. We hypothesized that this fact might be partially associated with the influence of latitude on circadian rhythm and consequently that genetic variability of key circadian rhythm regulators, ARNTL and CLOCK genes, might contribute to the risk for multiple sclerosis. Our aim was to analyse selected polymorphisms of ARNTL and CLOCK, and their association with multiple sclerosis.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of multiple sclerosis in paediatric population in Slovenia: A descriptive nation-wide study.

Background: Although multiple sclerosis usually affects young adults, paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (pMS) is increasingly recognized in the past ten years. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence of pMS in Slovenia and to characterize the clinical, laboratory and neuroradiological characteristics of pMS at the disease onset.

Methods: We performed a national retrospective descriptive study including all patients diagnosed with pMS between January 1992 and June 2017.

Management of infusion related reactions associated with alemtuzumab in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: Infusion-associated reactions (IARs) occur in >90% patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with alemtuzumab. We aimed to study the frequency of IARs at 2 sites using 5 days of steroids (1g/day of IV methylprednisolone), but otherwise distinct protocols.

Methods: This was retrospective chart review of 38 consecutive MS patients who were treated with alemtuzumab from June 2015 till February 2017 at Department of Neurology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Croatia and Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion gene polymorphism and interferon-β treatment response in multiple sclerosis patients: a preliminary report.

We investigated the effect of the functional insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene on the response to interferon-β (IFN-β) therapy in Croatian and Slovenian patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). A total of 275 IFN-β treated MS patients [162 responders (Rs) and 113 nonresponders (NRs)] were genotyped by PCR. The ACE I/D genotype distribution and allele frequencies did not differ between female Rs and NRs.

Single fiber EMG as a prognostic tool in myasthenia gravis.

Introduction: Single fiber electromyography (SFEMG) is the most sensitive diagnostic tool for diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (MG). Its prognostic value is not known.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical course of 232 MG patients who presented with only mild symptoms and had SFEMG of the orbicularis oculi muscle.

MMP-2 -1575G/A polymorphism modifies the onset of optic neuritis as a first presenting symptom in MS?

Previous studies show altered activities of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) patients. Optic neuritis (ON) is a common symptom of both disorders. Here we investigated the impacts of MMP-2 -1575G/A and MMP-9 -1562 C/T gene polymorphisms on disease phenotype in 100 MS patients with ON as a first symptom and 376 MS patients with other initial symptomatology.

How does fingolimod (gilenya(®)) fit in the treatment algorithm for highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder characterized by inflammatory demyelination and neurodegeneration in the central nervous system. Until recently, disease-modifying treatment was based on agents requiring parenteral delivery, thus limiting long-term compliance. Basic treatments such as beta-interferon provide only moderate efficacy, and although therapies for second-line treatment and highly active MS are more effective, they are associated with potentially severe side effects.

Recommendations for the use of prolonged-release fampridine in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Prolonged-release fampridine (fampridine PR) is a potassium channel blocker that improves conductivity of signal on demyelinated axons in central nervous system. Fampridine PR has been approved to improve speed of walking in patients with multiple sclerosis. This statement provides a brief summary of data on fampridine PR and recommendations on practical use of the medication in clinical practice, prediction, and evaluation of response to treatment and patient management.

Fingolimod in the treatment algorithm of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis: a statement of the Central and East European (CEE) MS Expert Group.

Fingolimod is the first oral treatment of multiple sclerosis. It is the first-in-class sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator that binds to sphingosine 1-phophate receptors on lymphocytes and via downregulation of the receptor prevents lymphocyte egress from lymphoid tissues into the circulation. This mechanism reduces the infiltration of potentially auto-aggressive lymphocytes into the central nervous system.

Influence of sports climbing and yoga on spasticity, cognitive function, mood and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: Spasticity, cognitive impairment, depression and fatigue significantly reduce the quality of life in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. To find out whether nonpharmalogical treatment approaches can reduce these symptoms we investigated effects of sports climbing (SC) and yoga on spasticity, cognitive impairment, mood change and fatigue in MS patients. Sports climbing (SC) and yoga are aerobic physical activities comprised a series of stretching techniques, implementation of which demands body control and planning of complex movements.

Clinical, magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid and electrophysiological characteristics of the earliest multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: The vast majority of clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) patients with at least two silent brain MRI lesions progress to multiple sclerosis (MS) as early as after 2 years meaning that they actually have MS, the earliest MS. Effective therapy with interferon beta preparations in patients with the earliest MS demands early and accurate diagnosis of the disease.

Patients And Methods: In order to find the differentiating clinical and paraclinical characteristics of patients with the earliest MS we compared clinical, MRI, CSF and evoked potential findings in patients with the earliest MS and patients with relapsing-remitting (RR) MS.

PAI and TPA gene polymorphisms in multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. It manifests as acute focal inflammatory demyelination and axonal loss with limited remyelination and results in the chronic multifocal sclerotic plaques. Previously published data showed impaired fibrinolysis in MS.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha-308 gene polymorphism in Croatian and Slovenian multiple sclerosis patients.

Previous findings regarding the role of TNF-alpha-308 gene polymorphism in multiple sclerosis (MS) are contradictory. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible influence of TNF-alpha-308 polymorphism on MS susceptibility and the MS disease process in a Croatian and Slovenian population. Genotyping was performed in 338 patients and 460 healthy controls.

No association of CCR5delta32 gene mutation with multiple sclerosis in Croatian and Slovenian patients.

Several studies investigating the role of the CCR5delta32 mutation in multiple sclerosis (MS) have reported varied, often contradictory results. Therefore in the present study we have analysed whether the CCR5delta32 mutation is associated with the risk of/or disease process in Croatian and Slovene MS patients. Three hundred and twenty-five MS patients and 356 healthy controls were genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction method.

Mutations in the hemochromatosis gene (HFE) and multiple sclerosis.

In the present study we have investigated whether HFE gene polymorphism may play a role in the disease process of Croatian and Slovenian MS patients and their potential genetic susceptibility to MS. We genotyped 314 MS patients and 400 healthy controls for the C282Y and H63D mutations by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Our results showed no significant differences in the distribution of the two mutations between MS patients and controls, suggesting that HFE polymorphisms do not contribute to the susceptibility to MS.