COVID-19 outcomes in patients with multiple sclerosis: Understanding changes from 2020 to 2022.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) have focused on the first waves of the pandemic until early 2021. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to extend these data from the onset of the pandemic to the global coverage by vaccination in summer 2022. METHODS: This retrospective, multicenter observational study analyzed COVISEP registry data on reported COVID-19 cases in pwMS between January 2020 and July 2022. Severe COVID-19 was defined as hospitalization or higher severity. RESULTS: Among 2584 pwMS with confirmed/highly suspected COVID-19, severe infection rates declined from 14.6% preomicron wave to 5.7% during omicron wave (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified age (odds ratio (OR) = 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.25-1.64] per 10 years), male sex (OR = 2.01, 95% CI = [1.51-2.67]), obesity (OR = 2.36, 95% CI = [1.52-3.68]), cardiac comorbidities (OR = 2.36, 95% CI = [1.46-3.83]), higher Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores (OR = 2.09, 95% CI = [1.43-3.06] for EDSS 3-5.5 and OR = 4.53, 95% CI = [3.04-6.75] for EDSS ⩾6), and anti-CD20 therapies (OR = 2.67, 95% CI = [1.85-3.87]) as risk factors for COVID-19 severity. Vaccinated individuals experienced less severe COVID-19, whether on (risk ratio (RR) = 0.64, 95% CI = [0.60-0.69]) or off (RR = 0.32, 95% CI = [0.30-0.33]) anti-CD20. DISCUSSION: In pwMS, consistent risk factors were anti-CD20 therapies and neurological disability, emerging as vital drivers of COVID-19 severity regardless of wave, period, or vaccination status.

Cancer and multiple sclerosis: 2023 recommendations from the French Multiple Sclerosis Society.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data reveal that 45% of persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) in France are more than 50 years. This population more than 50 is more susceptible to cancer, and this risk may be increased by frequent use of immunosuppressive drugs. Consequently, concerns have arisen about the potential increased risk of cancer in PwMS and how patients should be screened and managed in terms of cancer risk. OBJECTIVE: To develop evidence-based recommendations to manage the coexistence of cancer and multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: The French Group for Recommendations in MS collected articles from PubMed and university databases covering the period January 1975 through June 2022. The RAND/UCLA method was employed to achieve formal consensus. MS experts comprehensively reviewed the full-text articles and developed the initial recommendations. A group of multidisciplinary health care specialists then validated the final proposal. RESULTS: Five key questions were addressed, encompassing various topics such as cancer screening before or after initiating a disease-modifying therapy (DMT), appropriate management of MS in the context of cancer, recommended follow-up for cancer in patients receiving a DMT, and the potential reintroduction of a DMT after initial cancer treatment. A strong consensus was reached for all 31 recommendations. CONCLUSION: These recommendations propose a strategic approach to managing cancer risk in PwMS.

Efficacy of dalfampridine in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: A pilot study.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of dalfampridine in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Methods: We included 15 consecutive patients, who were started on a treatment of dalfampridine 10 mg twice daily for 2 weeks. Efficacy assessment was based on walking ability improvement using Timed-25-Foot Walk and 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale tests. Results: The mean Timed-25-Foot Walk score was reduced from 14.8 (±2.4) to 11.3 (±1.9) seconds (p = 0.01). The mean score on the 12-item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale was reduced from 41.2 (±3.5) to 31.4 (±3.2) (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Dalfampridine seems to be useful for symptomatic treatment of walking impairment in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

Highly Effective Therapies as First-Line Treatment for Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis.

Importance: Moderately effective therapies (METs) have been the main treatment in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) for years. Despite the expanding use of highly effective therapies (HETs), treatment strategies for POMS still lack consensus. Objective: To assess the real-world association of HET as an index treatment compared with MET with disease activity. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted from January 1, 2010, to December 8, 2022, until the last recorded visit. The median follow-up was 5.8 years. A total of 36 French MS centers participated in the Observatoire Français de la Sclérose en Plaques (OFSEP) cohort. Of the total participants in OFSEP, only treatment-naive children with relapsing-remitting POMS who received a first HET or MET before adulthood and at least 1 follow-up clinical visit were included in the study. All eligible participants were included in the study, and none declined to participate. Exposure: HET or MET at treatment initiation. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the time to first relapse after treatment. Secondary outcomes were annualized relapse rate (ARR), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) activity, time to Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) progression, tertiary education attainment, and treatment safety/tolerability. An adapted statistical method was used to model the logarithm of event rate by penalized splines of time, allowing adjustment for effects of covariates that is sensitive to nonlinearity and interactions. Results: Of the 3841 children (5.2% of 74 367 total participants in OFSEP), 530 patients (mean [SD] age, 16.0 [1.8] years; 364 female [68.7%]) were included in the study. In study patients, both treatment strategies were associated with a reduced risk of first relapse within the first 2 years. HET dampened disease activity with a 54% reduction in first relapse risk (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.46; 95% CI, 0.31-0.67; P < .001) sustained over 5 years, confirmed on MRI activity (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.34; 95% CI, 0.18-0.66; P = .001), and with a better tolerability pattern than MET. The risk of discontinuation at 2 years was 6 times higher with MET (HR, 5.97; 95% CI, 2.92-12.20). The primary reasons for treatment discontinuation were lack of efficacy and intolerance. Index treatment was not associated with EDSS progression or tertiary education attainment (adjusted OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.24-1.10; P = .09). Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this cohort study suggest that compared with MET, initial HET in POMS was associated with a reduction in the risk of first relapse with an optimal outcome within the first 2 years and was associated with a lower rate of treatment switching and a better midterm tolerance in children. These findings suggest prioritizing initial HET in POMS, although long-term safety studies are needed.

Serum Biomarker Profiles Discriminate AQP4 Seropositive and Double Seronegative Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light chain (NfL) serum levels are useful to define disease activity in different neurologic conditions. These biomarkers are increased in patients with aquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMOSD (AQP4+NMOSD) during clinical attacks suggesting a concomitant axonal and glial damage. However, there are contradictory results in double seronegative NMOSD (DS-NMOSD). The aim of this study was to characterize the neuronal, axonal, and glial damage of DS-NMOSD in comparison with AQP4+NMOSD. METHODS: Patients with DS-NMOSD (i.e., for AQP4 and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibodies-MOG-Abs) and age-matched AQP4+NMOSD diagnosed according to the latest diagnostic criteria and with available serum samples obtained within 3 months from onset/relapse were retrospectively enrolled from 14 international centers. Clinical and radiologic data were collected. Serum NfL, GFAP, tau, and UCH-L1 levels were determined using an ultrasensitive paramagnetic bead-based ELISA (SIMOA). Statistical analysis was performed using nonparametric tests and receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: We included 25 patients with AQP4+NMOSD and 26 with DS-NMOSD. The median age at disease onset (p = 0.611) and female sex predominance (p = 0.072) were similar in the 2 groups. The most common syndromes at sampling in both AQP4+NMOSD and DS-NMOSD were myelitis (56% vs 38.5%) and optic neuritis (34.6% vs 32%), with no statistical differences (p = 0.716). Median EDSS at sampling was 3.2 (interquartile range [IQR] 2-7.7) in the AQP4+NMOSD group and 4 (IQR [3-6]) in the DS-NMOSD group (p = 0.974). Serum GFAP, tau, and UCH-L1 levels were higher in patients with AQP4+NMOSD compared with those with DS-NMOSD (median 308.3 vs 103.4 pg/mL p = 0.001; median 1.2 vs 0.5 pg/mL, p = 0.001; and median 61.4 vs 35 pg/mL, p = 0.006, respectively). The ROC curve analysis showed that GFAP, tau, and UCH-L1, but not NfL, values were able to discriminate between AQP4+ and DS-NMOSD (area under the curve (AUC) tau: 0.782, p = 0.001, AUC GFAP: 0.762, p = 0.001, AUC UCH-L1: 0.723, p = 0.006). NfL levels were associated with EDSS at nadir only in patients with AQP4+NMOSD. DISCUSSION: Serum GFAP, tau, and UCH-L1 levels discriminate between AQP4+NMOSD and DS-NMOSD. The different biomarker profile of AQP4+NMOSD vs DS-NMOSD suggests heterogeneity of diseases within the latter category and provides useful data to improve our understanding of this disease.

Early Maintenance Treatment Initiation and Relapse Risk Mitigation After a First Event of MOGAD in Adults: The MOGADOR2 Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Because myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a recently identified autoimmune disorder, the natural history of MOGAD is still not well described. The objective of this study was to describe the long-term outcomes of adult patients with MOGAD. In addition, we aimed to identify factors affecting relapse risk and neurologic outcomes. METHODS: Clinical and biological data were obtained from patients with a first event of MOGAD and included in the French nationwide incident cohort between February 2014 and March 2017. Only patients aged 18 years or older at disease onset and with observation period of at least 3 months were included. Data were collected prospectively until July 2023 and registered in the dedicated French nationwide database. This form includes every relapse with phenotype description during follow-up, date of last assessment, final clinical outcome with Expanded Disability Status Scale score and visual acuity, and maintenance therapy. The probability of recurrence-free survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: We included 128 patients. The onset phenotype was isolated optic neuritis in 81 patients (63.3%) and isolated myelitis in 25 patients (19.5%). The median follow-up duration was 77.8 months (range 3.2-111.2), with 49 patients (38.3%) experienced at least one relapse. Median times from onset to second and third attacks were 3.2 (1.0-86.2) and 13.0 (2.6-64.4) months, respectively. At the last assessment, Expanded Disability Status Scale Score was ≥3 and ≥6 in 22 (17.2%) and 6 (4.7%) patients, respectively. Eighty patients received at least one maintenance treatment. This treatment was initiated after the first attack in 47 patients (36.7% of the whole cohort) and at the time of a second attack in 25 (19.5%). Multivariate analysis revealed that initiating maintenance treatment after the first attack was associated with a lower relapse risk (OR = 0.26 [95% CI 0.11-0.62], p = 0.002). In patients receiving maintenance therapy after first attack, the 2-year, 4-year, 6-year, and 8-year relapse risks were 11%, 15%, 20%, and 20%, respectively. In other patients, the risks were 41%, 46%, 51%, and 56%. DISCUSSION: The highest risk of a relapse in MOGAD occurs early, and initiating maintenance therapy from the first attack substantially reduced the relapse risk. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class III evidence that initiating maintenance therapy from the first attack in patients with MOGAD reduces the relapse risk.

High-Efficacy Therapy Discontinuation vs Continuation in Patients 50 Years and Older With Nonactive MS.

Importance: A recent randomized clinical trial concluded that discontinuing medium-efficacy therapy might be a reasonable option for older patients with nonactive multiple sclerosis (MS), but there is a lack of data on discontinuing high-efficacy therapy (HET). In younger patients, the discontinuation of natalizumab and fingolimod is associated with a risk of rebound of disease activity. Objective: To determine whether discontinuing HET in patients 50 years and older with nonactive MS is associated with an increased risk of relapse compared with continuing HET. Design, Setting, and Participants: This observational cohort study used data from 38 referral centers from the French MS registry (Observatoire Français de la Sclérose en Plaques [OFSEP] database). Among 84704 patients in the database, data were extracted for 1857 patients 50 years and older with relapsing-remitting MS treated by HET and with no relapse or magnetic resonance imaging activity for at least 2 years. After verification of the medical records, 1620 patients were classified as having discontinued HET or having remained taking treatment and were matched 1:1 using a dynamic propensity score (including age, sex, disease phenotype, disability, treatment of interest, and time since last inflammatory activity). Patients were included from February 2008 to November 2021, with a mean (SD) follow-up of 5.1 (2.9) years. Data were extracted in June 2022. Exposures: Natalizumab, fingolimod, rituximab, and ocrelizumab. Main Outcomes and Measures: Time to first relapse. Results: Of 1620 included patients, 1175 (72.5%) were female, and the mean (SD) age was 54.7 (4.8) years. Among the 1452 in the HET continuation group and 168 in the HET discontinuation group, 154 patients in each group were matched using propensity scores (mean [SD] age, 57.7 [5.5] years; mean [SD] delay since the last inflammatory activity, 5.6 [3.8] years; mean [SD] follow-up duration after propensity score matching, 2.5 [2.1] years). Time to first relapse was significantly reduced in the HET discontinuation group compared with the HET continuation group (hazard ratio, 4.1; 95% CI, 2.0-8.5; P < .001) but differed between HETs, with a hazard ratio of 7.2 (95% CI, 2.1-24.5; P = .001) for natalizumab, 4.5 (95% CI, 1.3-15.5; P = .02) for fingolimod, and 1.1 (95% CI, 0.3-4.8; P = .85) for anti-CD20 therapy. Conclusion and Relevance: As in younger patients, in patients 50 years and older with nonactive MS, the risk of relapse increased significantly after stopping HETs that impact immune cell trafficking (natalizumab and fingolimod). There was no significant increase in risk after stopping HETs that deplete B-cells (anti-CD20 therapy). This result may inform decisions about stopping HETs in clinical practice.

Acute Clinical Events Identified as Relapses With Stable Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis.

Importance: Understanding the association between clinically defined relapses and radiological activity in multiple sclerosis (MS) is essential for patient treatment and therapeutic development. Objective: To investigate clinical events identified as relapses but not associated with new T2 lesions or gadolinium-enhanced T1 lesions on brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter observational cohort study was conducted between January 2015 and June 2023. Data were extracted on June 8, 2023, from the French MS registry. All clinical events reported as relapses in patients with relapsing-remitting MS were included if brain and spinal cord MRI was performed within 12 and 24 months before the event, respectively, and 50 days thereafter with gadolinium injection. Exposures: Events were classified as relapses with active MRI (RAM) if a new T2 lesion or gadolinium-enhanced T1 lesion appeared on brain or spinal cord MRI or as acute clinical events with stable MRI (ACES) otherwise. Main Outcomes and Measures: Factors associated with ACES were investigated; patients with ACES and RAM were compared regarding Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) course, relapse rate, confirmed disability accrual (CDA), relapse-associated worsening (RAW), progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA), and transition to secondary progressive (SP) MS, and ACES and RAM rates under each disease-modifying therapy (DMT) were estimated. Results: Among 31 885 clinical events, 637 in 608 patients (493 [77.4%] female; mean [SD] age, 35.8 [10.7] years) were included. ACES accounted for 166 (26.1%) events and were more likely in patients receiving highly effective DMTs, those with longer disease duration (odds ratio [OR], 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07), or those presenting with fatigue (OR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.15-3.96). ACES were associated with significant EDSS score increases, lower than those found for RAM. Before the index event, patients with ACES experienced significantly higher rates of relapse (relative rate [RR], 1.21; 95% CI, 1.01-1.46), CDA (hazard ratio [HR], 1.54; 95% CI, 1.13-2.11), and RAW (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.20-2.45). Patients with ACES were at significantly greater risk of SP transition (HR, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.02-6.51). Although RAM rate decreased with DMTs according to their expected efficacy, ACES rate was stable across DMTs. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings in this study introduce the concept of ACES in MS, which accounted for one-fourth of clinical events identified as relapses.

The diagnostic workup of children with the radiologically isolated syndrome differs by age and by sex.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and spinal MRIs are often obtained in children with the radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) for diagnosis and prognosis. Factors affecting the frequency and timing of these tests are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether age or sex were associated with (1) having CSF or spinal MRI obtained or (2) the timing of these tests. METHODS: We analyzed children (≤ 18 y) with RIS enrolled in an international longitudinal study. Index scans met 2010/2017 multiple sclerosis (MS) MRI criteria for dissemination in space (DIS). We used Fisher's exact test and multivariable logistic regression (covariates = age, sex, MRI date, MRI indication, 2005 MRI DIS criteria met, and race). RESULTS: We included 103 children with RIS (67% girls, median age = 14.9 y). Children ≥ 12 y were more likely than children < 12 y to have CSF obtained (58% vs. 21%, adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.9, p = 0.03). Pre-2017, girls were more likely than boys to have CSF obtained (n = 70, 79% vs. 52%, AOR = 4.6, p = 0.01), but not more recently (n = 30, 75% vs. 80%, AOR = 0.2, p = 0.1; p = 0.004 for interaction). Spinal MRIs were obtained sooner in children ≥ 12 y (median 11d vs. 159d, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Younger children with RIS may be at continued risk for misdiagnosis and misclassification of MS risk. Consensus guidelines are needed.

Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy-Related Inflammation and Biopsy-Positive Primary Angiitis of the CNS: A Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-RI) and biopsy-positive primary angiitis of the CNS (BP-PACNS) have overlapping clinicoradiologic presentations. It is unknown whether clinical and radiologic features can differentiate CAA-RI from BP-PACNS and whether both diseases have different relapse rates. The objectives of this study were to compare clinicoradiologic presentations and relapse rates in patients with CAA-RI vs BP-PACNS. METHODS: Patients with CAA-RI and BP-PACNS were enrolled from 2 retrospective multicenter cohorts. Patients with CAA-RI were biopsy-positive or met probable clinicoradiologic criteria. Patients with BP-PACNS had histopathologic confirmation of CNS angiitis, with no secondary etiology. A neuroradiologist read brain MRIs, blinded to the diagnosis of CAA-RI or BP-PACNS. Clinicoradiologic features were compared using univariable logistic regression models. Relapse rates were compared using a univariable Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard model, with death as a competing risk. RESULTS: This study enrolled 104 patients with CAA-RI (mean age 73 years, 48% female sex) and 52 patients with BP-PACNS (mean age 45 years, 48% female sex). Patients with CAA-RI more often had white matter hyperintense lesions meeting the probable CAA-RI criteria (93% vs 51%, p < 0.001), acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (15% vs 2%, p = 0.02), cortical superficial siderosis (27% vs 4%, p < 0.001), ≥1 lobar microbleed (94% vs 26%, p < 0.001), past intracerebral hemorrhage (17% vs 4%, p = 0.04), ≥21 visible centrum semiovale perivascular spaces (34% vs 4%, p < 0.01), and leptomeningeal enhancement (70% vs 27%, p < 0.001). Patients with BP-PACNS more often had headaches (56% vs 31%, p < 0.01), motor deficits (56% vs 36%, p = 0.02), and nonischemic parenchymal gadolinium enhancement (82% vs 16%, p < 0.001). The prevalence of acute ischemic lesions was 18% in CAA-RI and 22% in BP-PACNS (p = 0.57). The features with the highest specificity for CAA-RI were acute subarachnoid hemorrhage (98%), cortical superficial siderosis (96%), past intracerebral hemorrhage (96%), and ≥21 visible centrum semiovale perivascular spaces (96%). The probable CAA-RI criteria had a 71% sensitivity (95% CI 44%-90%) and 91% specificity (95% CI 79%-98%) in differentiating biopsy-positive CAA-RI from BP-PACNS. The rate of relapse in the first 2 years after remission was lower in CAA-RI than in BP-PACNS (hazard ratio 0.46, 95% CI 0.22-0.96, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Clinicoradiologic features differed between patients with CAA-RI and those with BP-PACNS. Specific markers for CAA-RI were hemorrhagic signs of subarachnoid involvement, past intracerebral hemorrhage, ≥21 visible centrum semiovale perivascular spaces, and the probable CAA-RI criteria. A biopsy remains necessary for diagnosis in some cases of CAA-RI. The rate of relapse in the first 2 years after disease remission was lower in CAA-RI than in BP-PACNS.

Real-life study to assess effectiveness and safety of eculizumab in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders in France: protocol for ECUP4, an observational study.

Background: Eculizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the C5 complement protein, has been approved for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) in adult patients who are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody positive (Ab+). The aim of this study is to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and safety of eculizumab in French adults with NMOSD and to describe patients' characteristics, disability, and quality of life using data collected in a real-world setting. Methods: This is the protocol for ECUP4, an ongoing prospective, observational, non-comparative, multicenter study conducted in 32 reference centers in France. Eligible patients must also be enrolled in NOMADMUS, a nested cohort of the French national multiple sclerosis registry (OFSEP). The primary endpoint is the annualized relapse rate. Secondary endpoints include the long-term safety of eculizumab, as well as patients' characteristics, treatment outcomes, disability, pain, visual acuity, and quality of life. Visits and treatments follow routine clinical practice. The case report forms (CRF) comprise data recorded in the context of the NOMADMUS cohort, collected during routine visits. The inclusion period is planned for 3 years, with no limitation on the number of patients enrolled. The maximum follow-up duration will be 5.5 years. Conclusion: The efficacy and safety of eculizumab in patients with AQP4+ NMOSD have been demonstrated in randomized clinical trials that showed a significant reduction in the risk of relapse, with a safety profile consistent with other indications. This study will provide clinical and patient-reported evidence of the benefits of eculizumab, using data from a real-world setting in France. Trial registration number: This study is registered at the French public repertory Health data Hub, N° F20211228123801. All information can be accessed at: https://www.health-data-hub.fr/.