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Breu M, Sandesjö F, Milos RI, Svoboda J, Salzer J, Schneider L, Reichelt JB, Bertolini A, Blaschek A, Fink K, Höftberger R, Lycke J, Rostásy K, Seidl R, Siegert S, Wickström R, Kornek B. Rituximab treatment in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16228. [PMID: 38375947 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Rituximab (RTX) is frequently used off-label in multiple sclerosis. However, studies on the risk-benefit profile of RTX in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis are scarce. METHODS In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, patients with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis from Sweden, Austria and Germany, who received RTX treatment were identified by chart review. Annualized relapse rates, Expanded Disability Status Scale scores and magnetic resonance imaging parameters (new T2 lesions and contrast-enhancing lesions) were assessed before and during RTX treatment. The proportion of patients who remained free from clinical and disease activity (NEDA-3) during RTX treatment was calculated. Side effects such as infusion-related reactions, infections and laboratory abnormalities were assessed. RESULTS Sixty-one patients received RTX during a median (interquartile range) follow-up period of 20.9 (35.6) months. The annualized relapse rate decreased from 0.6 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38-0.92) to 0.03 (95% CI 0.02-0.14). The annual rate of new T2 lesions decreased from 1.25 (95% CI 0.70-2.48) to 0.08 (95% CI 0.03-0.25) and annual rates of new contrast-enhancing lesions decreased from 0.86 (95% CI 0.30-3.96) to 0. Overall, 70% of patients displayed no evidence of disease activity (NEDA-3). Adverse events were observed in 67% of patients. Six patients discontinued treatment due to ongoing disease activity or adverse events. CONCLUSION Our study provides class IV evidence that RTX reduces clinical and radiological activity in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Breu
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Allergology and Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fredrik Sandesjö
- Neuropediatric Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ruxandra-Iulia Milos
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan Svoboda
- Department of Neuroradiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonatan Salzer
- Department of Clinical Science, Neurosciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lisa Schneider
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine I, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julian Benedikt Reichelt
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Allergology and Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Annikki Bertolini
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Witten/Herdecke, Children's Hospital Datteln, Datteln, Germany
| | - Astrid Blaschek
- Paediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Fink
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Romana Höftberger
- Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jan Lycke
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kevin Rostásy
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Witten/Herdecke, Children's Hospital Datteln, Datteln, Germany
| | - Rainer Seidl
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Allergology and Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandy Siegert
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, Allergology and Endocrinology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ronny Wickström
- Neuropediatric Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Barbara Kornek
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Sandesjö F, Tremlett H, Fink K, Marrie RA, Zhu F, Wickström R, McKay KA. Incidence rate and prevalence of pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis in Sweden: A population-based register study. Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16253. [PMID: 38369806 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (PoMS) is associated with high health care use. To plan resource allocation for this patient group, knowledge of the incidence rate and prevalence is important. However, such studies are scarce, few are population-based, and the methodology varies widely. We aimed to address this knowledge gap by performing a nationwide study of the incidence rate and prevalence of PoMS in Sweden, an area of high multiple sclerosis (MS) incidence and prevalence. METHODS MS cases were identified by linking two nationwide registers, the National Patient Register and the Swedish MS Registry. MS cases having their first central nervous system demyelinating event or MS clinical onset before age 18 years were classified as pediatric onset. Incidence rate and prevalence were estimated annually over the study period (2006-2016) for the total population and stratified by sex and age group (<12, 12-15, and 16-17 years). Temporal trends and ratios between sexes and age groups were estimated. RESULTS We identified 238 incident cases from 2006 to 2016, corresponding to an overall crude incidence rate of 1.12 per 100,000 person-years and an overall crude prevalence of 2.82 per 100,000 population. There was a higher incidence rate among females and the highest age category. The overall incidence rate and prevalence estimates remained stable during the study period. CONCLUSIONS Sweden exhibits a consistently high incidence rate and prevalence of PoMS that has remained stable over time. This knowledge serves as a tool to aid in planning resource allocation and health services for this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fredrik Sandesjö
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helen Tremlett
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Katharina Fink
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ruth Ann Marrie
- Department of Internal Medicine, Department of Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Feng Zhu
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ronny Wickström
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kyla A McKay
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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