Healthcare utilization and costs associated with autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Norwegian patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients experience long-term deterioration of neurological function, reduced quality of life, long-lasting treatment cycles, and an increased risk of early workability loss imposing an economic burden to society. Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) has shown promising treatment effects for relapsing remitting MS (RRMS). This study employs a micro-costing approach to estimate healthcare utilization and costs associated with AHSCT in Norwegian RRMS patients.

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis: Long-term follow-up data from Norway.

Background: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potent treatment option for patients with aggressive relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).

Objective: To evaluate long-term outcomes of HSCT in MS.

Methods: National retrospective single-center observational study of patients with aggressive RRMS that underwent HSCT in Norway from January 2015 to January 2018.

Interferon β1a treatment does not influence serum Epstein-Barr virus antibodies in patients with multiple sclerosis.

There is increasing evidence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) being conditional in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis and influential for disease activity. Interferon-beta (IFNβ) is a cytokine with antiviral effects used to treat MS, in which a possible antiviral effect against EBV has been questioned. In this study, we investigated the effect of IFNβ-1a treatment on serum EBV antibody levels in 84 patients with relapsing-remitting MS.

The Effect of Smoking on Long-term Gray Matter Atrophy and Clinical Disability in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

Background And Objectives: The relationship between smoking, long-term brain atrophy, and clinical disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is unclear. Here, we assessed long-term effects of smoking by evaluating MRI and clinical outcome measures after 10 years in smoking and nonsmoking patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).

Methods: We included 85 treatment-naive patients with RRMS with recent inflammatory disease activity who participated in a 10-year follow-up visit after a multicenter clinical trial of 24 months.

Serum neurofilament as a predictor of 10-year grey matter atrophy and clinical disability in multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal study.

Background: The predictive value of serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) on long-term prognosis in multiple sclerosis (MS) is still unclear.

Objective: Investigate the relation between sNfL levels over a 2-year period in patients with relapsing-remitting MS, and clinical disability and grey matter (GM) atrophy after 10 years.

Methods: 85 patients, originally enrolled in a multicentre, randomised trial of ω-3 fatty acids, participated in a 10-year follow-up visit.

Impact of previous disease-modifying treatment on safety and efficacy in patients with MS treated with AHSCT.

Background: Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is a highly effective treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). The impact of previous long-lasting disease-modifying treatments (DMT) for safety and efficacy of AHSCT is unknown.

Objective: To explore whether previous DMTs with long-lasting effects on the immune system (anti-CD20 therapy, alemtuzumab and cladribine) affect treatment-related complications, long-term outcome and risk of new MS disease activity in patients treated with AHSCT.

Low vitamin D, but not tobacco use or high BMI, is associated with long-term disability progression in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Low vitamin D levels, tobacco use and high body mass index (BMI) have been linked to adverse disease outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS), but their influence on long-term disability progression remains unclear. Therefore, we explored whether these modifiable lifestyle factors were associated with 10-year clinical disability progression in patients with MS.

Methods: In this prospective study, a cohort of 88 patients with relapsing-remitting MS completed a randomized controlled study on ω-3 fatty acids between 2004 and 2008.

Safety and efficacy of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for multiple sclerosis in Norway.

Background: Hematopoietic stem cell treatment (HSCT) is a promising treatment option for multiple sclerosis (MS), but detailed safety and efficacy measures are still scarce.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of HSCT in MS.

Methods: Retrospective single-center observational study of all MS patients that underwent HSCT in Norway during January 2015 to January 2018.

Serum levels of leptin and adiponectin are not associated with disease activity or treatment response in multiple sclerosis.

Adipokines secreted by fatty tissue have inflammatory properties and are suggested biomarkers of MS disease activity. To assess this, 88 MS patients were followed with nine repeated measurements of leptin and adiponectin and 12 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for two years; six months without any immunomodulatory treatment followed by 18 months during interferon-beta (IFNB) treatment. Serum levels of leptin dropped and adiponectin increased upon initiation of IFNB-therapy, but were not associated with clinical or MRI disease activity or with treatment response.

No association of tobacco use and disease activity in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To study whether tobacco use is associated with MRI and clinical disease activity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Prospective cohort study of 87 patients with relapsing-remitting MS originally included in a randomized placebo-controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids in MS (the OFAMS Study). Serum levels of cotinine (biomarker of tobacco use) were analyzed at baseline and every 6 months for 2 years.

[Impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormone].

Background: In conditions with impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormone, reduced effect of thyroid hormone is attributable to various defects. The purpose of this article is to give an overview of these conditions, as well as to provide updated knowledge on impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormone, also known as thyroid hormone resistance, with mutations in thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ).

Material And Method: This article is based on a selection of English-language articles, and Norwegian original and review articles found in PubMed, and the authors' own experiences with this patient group.

Body mass index influence interferon-beta treatment response in multiple sclerosis.

Obesity is a possible risk factor of multiple sclerosis (MS), but the association between obesity and MS disease activity has not been explored. In a cohort of 86 MS patients, 80% of overweight or obese patients (BMI≥25kg/m(2)) had MRI activity compared to 48% of the normal-weight patients (BMI<25kg/m(2)) (p=0.001) during interferon-beta treatment.

Antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus and MRI disease activity in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Previous reports indicate an association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody levels and multiple sclerosis (MS) disease activity, but the results have been conflicting.

Objectives: The objective of this paper is to study if EBV antibody levels reflect MRI disease activity in MS and examine the potential for EBV antibody levels as biomarkers for treatment response.

Methods: A total of 87 MS patients were followed for two years prior to and during interferon beta (IFNB) treatment, with MRI examinations and serum measurement of IgM and IgG antibodies to viral capsid antigen (VCA), EBV nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) and early antigen (EA).

[Neuromyelitis optica].

Background: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a rare autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that is characterized mainly by recurrent optic neuritis and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. The aim of this article is to present current knowledge on the clinical features, diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment of the condition.

Method: The article is based on a discretionary selection of English-language original articles, meta-analyses and review articles found in PubMed, and on the authors' own experience with the patient group.