Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections in MS patients on disease modifying therapies

BackgroundPatients with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) treated with anti-CD20 or fingolimod showed a reduced humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. In this study we aimed to monitor the risk of breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection in pwMS on different Disease Modifying Therapy (DMT). MethodsData on number of vaccinated patients and of patients with a breakthrough infection were retrospectively collected in 27 Italian MS centers. We estimated the rate of breakthrough infections and of infection requiring hospitalization per DMT. Findings19641 vaccinated pwMS were included in the database. After a median follow-up of 8 months, we observed 137 breakthrough infections. As compared to the other DMTs, the rate of breakthrough infections was significantly higher on ocrelizumab (0.57% vs 2.00%, RR=3.55,95%CI=2.74-4.58, p<0.001) and fingolimod (0.58% vs 1.62%, RR=2.65,95%CI=1.75-4.00, p<0.001), while there were no significant differences in any other DMT group. In the ocrelizumab group the hospitalization rate was 16.7% vs 19.4% in the pre-vaccination era (RR=0.86,p=0.74) and it was 3.9% in all the other DMT groups vs 11.9% in the pre-vaccination period (RR=0.33,p=0.02). InterpretationThe risk of breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections is higher in patients treated with ocrelizumab and fingolimod, and the rate of severe infections was significantly reduced in all the DMTs excluding ocrelizumab.

Prevalence and predictors of bowel dysfunction in a large multiple sclerosis outpatient population: an Italian multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Bowel dysfunction (BD) is reported as a common and disabling symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. To date, no studies have explored the prevalence of these symptoms in a large multicenter outpatient setting. The aims of the present study are to assess: (i) the prevalence of BD in a large multicenter Italian MS population, and (ii) the correlation between clinico-demographic variables and the severity of BD. METHODS: Each of the nine participating center screened MS patients prospectively: 1100 subjects were enrolled. All patients underwent the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and completed the Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction score (NBDs). Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to assess the association between NBDs and several clinico-demographic variables. RESULTS: Fourteen percent of MS patients showed a moderate/severe BD (NBDs > 10); this percentage increased in patients with high disability, ranging from 26 to 32%. Moderate/severe BD was more frequent in MS patients with: progressive phenotypes, higher disability, older age, and longer disease duration. NBDs severity was predicted by female sex, ambulation impairment and bladder symptoms. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the relatively high prevalence of moderate/severe BD in a large, multicenter, unselected, outpatient MS population. BD appears to be mainly associated to female sex and MS-related disability.

Association Between the Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score and Urodynamic Examination in Multiple Sclerosis Patients With Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction / 대한배뇨장애요실금학회지

PURPOSE: To determine the relationship between the neurogenic bladder symptoms score (NBSS) and urodynamic examination in patients affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) and related lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD). METHODS: We recruited 122 consecutive patients with MS in remission and LUTD from January 2011 to September 2013 who underwent their first urodynamic examination. Neurological impairment was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and bladder symptoms were studied with the NBSS. RESULTS: Median NBSS was 20.0 (interquartile range, 12.75-31.0). Neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) was discovered in 69 patients (56.6%). The concordance between patients with NDO and maximum detrusor pressure during involuntary detrusor contraction (PdetmaxIDC)> or =20.0 cm H2O was 0.89 (kappa-Cohen; P or =4.5 had a greater NBSS (25.41 vs. 20.19, P or =20 cm H2O (P=0.77) but with maximum cystometric capacity<212 mL (odds ratio, 0.95; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The NBSS cannot give adequate information the way urodynamic studies can, in patients with MS and LUTD.