Additional Cladribine tablets treatment courses in multiple sclerosis patients. A retrospective observational study in Latin American countries.

The use of additional cladribine tablets treatment courses is becoming an option in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) showing disease activity after treatment initiation. Despite the availability over the past year of several expert opinion guidance on the subject, there is a need for real-world assessment of the efficacy and safety of cladribine tablets in these patients. Thus, the aim of the present retrospective observational study is to describe the characteristics of patients that received additional treatment courses within the cohort of cladribine tablets-treated MS patients enrolled in the patient support program (PSP) Adveva® in Latin America countries.

Telomere length as a biomarker in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) shortens with age and may be related to multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective: We hypothesize that chronologically young people with MS (pwMS) with short LTL behave similarly to older MS subjects.

Methods: Prospective 2-year study including two cohorts of young (18-35 years) and elderly (⩾50 years) pwMS with similar disease duration.

Treatment strategies and responses for attacks of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A real-world retrospective cohort study.

Unlabelled: We aimed to assess the treatment strategies utilized in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) experiencing relapses, including their frequency, types, and response after 6 months based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study involving NMOSD patients from the Argentinean MS and NMOSD registry (RelevarEM, NCT03375177). Treatment response at 6 months was categorized as "good" if the EDSS score decreased by ≥1 point after a nadir EDSS score ≤ 3, or by ≥2 points after a nadir EDSS score > 3, "poor" if the EDSS score decrease was slighter, and as "absent" if the EDSS score remained unchanged or worsened.

Selection of disease modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis based on patient's age and disease activity: Data from a nationwide registry.

Background: Knowledge of the safety and efficacy of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in older patients with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) is limited due to their exclusion from clinical trials. Our purpose is to evaluate the choice of DMTs in pwMS older than 50 years old in a real-world setting.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of pwMS from the Argentine MS and NMOSD Registry.

[Core data set for real world data in multiple sclerosis: customization for latin america from a global task force recommendation].

Introduction: The primary objective of the core data set is to reduce heterogeneity and promote harmonization among data sources in EM, thereby reducing the time needed to execute real life data collection efforts. Recently, a group led by the Multiple Sclerosis Data Alliance has developed a core data set for collecting real-world data on multiple sclerosis (MS) globally. Our objective was to adapt this global data set to the needs of Latin America, so that it can be implemented by the registries already developed and in the process of development in the region.

[Comorbidities in multiple sclerosis and their influence on the choice of treatment].

Clinical trials of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for people with multiple sclerosis (pMS) are conducted in selected populations, excluding patients with comorbidities or concomitant medications. However, a large percentage of pMS have some additional disease, which could affect the response and choice of the DMT. The objective of this review is to assess how concurrent pathologies can impact the choice of DMTs.

Mortality of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients in an Argentinean population: A study from the RelevarEM registry.

We aimed to evaluate mortality and causes of death among Argentinean neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients and identify predictors of death. Retrospective study included 158 NMOSD patients and 11 (7%) patients died after 11 years of follow-up for a total exposure time of 53,345 days with an overall incidence density of 2.06 × 10.

Serological response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with multiple sclerosis in Argentina.

Introduction: The objective was to assess the immunogenicity and effectiveness of vaccines against SARSCoV-2 in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients included in the Argentinean MS registry.

Methods: A prospective cohort study between May and December 2021. The primary outcome was immunogenicity and effectiveness of vaccines during a three-month follow-up.

Performance of McDonald 2017 multiple sclerosis diagnostic criteria and evaluation of genetic ancestry in patients with a first demyelinating event in Argentina.

Background: Information on performance of multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnostic criteria is scarce for populations from Latin America, Asia, or the Caribbean.

Objective: To assess performance of revised 2017 McDonald criteria as well as evaluate genetic ancestry in a group of MS patients from Argentina experiencing a debut demyelinating event.

Methods: Demographic and clinical characteristics, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and new T2 lesions were recorded at baseline and during relapses.

Disability outcomes in NMOSD and MOGAD patients: data from a nationwide registry in Argentina.

Unlabelled: The objective was to evaluate time to reach an EDSS of 4, 6, and 7 in NMOSD and MOGAD patients included in the Argentinean MS and NMOSD registry (RelevarEM, NCT 03,375,177).

Methods: NMOSD patients diagnosed according to 2015 criteria and with MOGAD were identified. Patients with at least 3 years of follow-up and periodic clinical evaluations with EDSS outcomes were included.

Incidence of COVID-19 after vaccination in people with multiple sclerosis in Argentina: Data from the nationwide registry RelevarEM.

Unlabelled: The objective of the study was to evaluate the incidence of COVID-19 after complete vaccination in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) included in the Argentinean MS and NMOSD registry (RelevarEM, NCT03375177).

Methods: cohort study conducted between May 2021 and December 2021. The primary outcome was the appearance of infection during the follow-up time (at least three months after complete vaccination (second dose)).

Multiple Sclerosis and Aging: The Dynamics of Demyelination and Remyelination.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) leading to demyelination and neurodegeneration. Life expectancy and age of onset in MS patients have been rising over the last decades, and previous studies have shown that age affects disease progression. Therefore, age appears as one of the most important factors in accumulating disability in MS patients.

Clinical and demographic characteristics of male MS patients included in the national registry-RelevarEM. Does sex or phenotype make the difference in the association with poor prognosis?

Background: In multiple sclerosis demographics there is a well-known female prevalence and male patients have been less specifically evaluated in clinical studies, though some clinical differences have been reported between sexes.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess clinical and demographic differences between male and female patients included in the national Argentine MS Registry-RelevarEM.

Material And Methods: This study was observational, retrospective, and was based on the data of 3099 MS patients included as of 04 April 2021.

Rebound activity after fingolimod cessation: A case - control study.

Background: There has been an increase in the number of reports of multiple sclerosis (MS) rebound activity (RA), which is usually defined as a severe disease reactivation after natalizumab or fingolimod withdrawal that exceeds pre-treatment baseline inflammatory activity. The frequency and risk factors that could predict RA remain unknown. Fingolimod is currently the most frequently prescribed disease modifying therapy for MS in Argentina, so that there is a need to determine possible predictors of RA.

The central vein sign is present in most infratentorial multiple sclerosis plaques.

Background And Purpose: There is growing evidence supporting the presence of the central vein sign (CVS) in the supratentorial brain as an imaging biomarker for multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. Recently, using optimized susceptibility-weighted angiography (SWAN-venule), we detected CVS in 86% of supratentorial white matter lesions (WMLs) in the clinical setting on images obtained in a 3T MRI scanner. Despite the relevance of the infratentorial compartment, CVS prevalence in infratentorial MS plaques has not been investigated in detail.

The frequency and characteristics of multiple sclerosis misdiagnosis in Latin America: A referral center study in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Objective: Most contemporary data concerning the frequency and causes of multiple sclerosis (MS) misdiagnosis are from North America and Europe with different healthcare system structure and resources than countries in Latin America. We sought to determine the frequency, and potential contributors to MS misdiagnosis in patients evaluated at an MS referral center in Argentina.

Methods: The study was a retrospective medical record review.

Seasonal variation in attacks of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders and multiple sclerosis: Evaluation of 794 attacks from a nationwide registry in Argentina.

Background: Identification of triggers that potentially instigate attacks in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) has remained challenging. We aimed to analyze the seasonality of NMOSD and MS attacks in an Argentinean cohort seeking differences between the two disorders.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in a cohort of NMOSD and MS patients followed in specialized centers from Argentina and enrolled in RelevarEM, a nationwide, longitudinal, observational, non-mandatory registry of MS/NMOSD patients.

Impact of Andropause on Multiple Sclerosis.

Andropause results from the natural decrease in testosterone levels that occurs with age. In contrast to menopause, which is a universal, well-characterized process associated with absolute gonadal failure, andropause ensues after gradual decline of both hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, as well as of testicular function, a process which usually develops over a period of many years. Increasing evidence on greater risk of Multiple sclerosis (MS) associated with lower testosterone levels is being reported.

Accumulative risk of clinical event in high-risk radiologically isolated syndrome in Argentina: data from the nationwide registry RelevarEM.

Introduction: We aimed to analyze the accumulative risk of MRI and OB factors for evolution from RIS to MS in subjects included in the Argentinean MS registry (NCT03375177).

Methods: RIS subjects were identified according to RIS diagnosis criteria. Subjects were longitudinally followed with clinical and MRI at intervals of 6 months.

Assessing attacks and treatment response rates among adult patients with NMOSD and MOGAD: Data from a nationwide registry in Argentina.

Unlabelled: We aimed to examine treatment interventions implemented in patients experiencing neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) attacks (frequency, types, and response).

Methods: Retrospective study. Data on patient demographic, clinical and radiological findings, and administered treatments were collected.