Anti-JCV antibody serostatus and longitudinal evaluation in a Portuguese Multiple Sclerosis population.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) treatment with natalizumab is associated with Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML). The risk of PML being related to the anti-JCV antibody index is well established, but there is less known about seroconversion rates in natalizumab-treated patients and longitudinal variation in the anti-JCV antibody index. Our objective was to assess anti-JCV antibody prevalence in an MS population and to evaluate the evolution of the anti-JCV antibody index in natalizumab-treated patients. To assess anti-JCV antibody prevalence, we included all patients who had the anti-JCV antibody test in our consultation, regardless of the treatment. To evaluate the evolution of the anti-JCV antibody index and seroconversion, only natalizumab-treated patients with at least two samples were selected. Demographic characteristics were evaluated. From a total of 371 patients included, 68.19% (n=253) were seropositive for anti-JCV antibodies (JCV+). There was a significant difference in anti-JCV antibody seropositivity concerning gender (male 76.27% vs. female 64.43%, p=0.023), but not age. To evaluate seroconversion, 85 patients who were initially seronegative (JCV-) were selected. The annual rate of seroconversion in the first two years was stable, but after that there was a significant increase with treatment duration (ρ=0.90, p=0.037): in the first year it was 5.88% (n=5/85); in the second, 5.71% (n=4/70); in the third, 6.82% (n=3/44); in the fourth, 10.34% (n=3/29); and in the fifth, 15.0% (n=3/20). The mean index variability was higher in patients who experienced seroconversion (1.16±0.97), followed by JCV+ patients (0.44±0.48), compared to JCV- patients (0.08±0.05). In conclusion, anti-JCV antibody prevalence in our population is comparable to other reported cohorts. The seroconversion rate increased with treatment duration. We found a high fluctuation in the antibody index in JCV+ patients.

Long-term effectiveness and safety of natalizumab in a Portuguese population.

OBJECTIVES: Natalizumab long-term effectiveness data in real-world relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is needed. Our objective is to report the long-term effectiveness and safety of natalizumab in a cohort of RRMS patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of natalizumab treatment for two years or longer in RRMS. Annualized relapse rate, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), brain magnetic resonance imaging T2 lesion volume, JC virus antibody status, previous treatments and adverse events were analysed. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were included with a mean treatment duration of 44.86±17.39months. Over the treatment duration there was a significant decrease in annualized relapse rate (88.37%) and EDSS (28.57%); no evidence of clinical disease activity in 73.24% and 61.97% after one and two-years respectively; and brain magnetic resonance imaging T2 lesion volume remained stable. Forty patients suspended natalizumab, in 85% due to high risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). The major complication was PML (n=3). CONCLUSIONS: Natalizumab showed effectiveness in the long-term follow up period of our cohort, with reduction of ARR, EDSS, and MRI lesion load stabilization. PML was the major complication.

The effectiveness of fingolimod in a Portuguese real-world population.

INTRODUCTION: Fingolimod is an oral treatment for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) with established efficacy in clinical trials. Post-marketing studies are important to assess its effectiveness in real-world populations. OBJECTIVES: To report the effectiveness and safety of fingolimod in a real-world population. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with RRMS treated with fingolimod for at least six months. The demographic characteristics, Annualized Relapse Rate (ARR), Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS), previous treatments and Adverse Events (AE) were analysed. RESULTS: 104 patients were included, with a mean treatment duration of 21.06 months. First-line disease modifying therapy failure patients (n=56) had an ARR decrease of 68.53% (1.43 vs. 0.45, p<0.001), 66.07% of them were relapse-free, EDSS significantly decreased (2.5 vs. 2.0, p<0.001) and 91.07% showed no disability progression. In patients previously treated with natalizumab as a second-line drug mainly switched due to safety concerns (n=41), although the differences were not statistically significant, both the ARR and EDSS increased in 41.46% and 19.51% of patients, respectively. In treatment-naive patients (n=7) the ARR decreased 94.90% (1.57 vs. 0.08, p=0.027) and there was no disability progression. 56.7% of all patients experienced AE not considered serious in any of the cases. CONCLUSION: In this population, fingolimod was an effective treatment after first-line treatment failure, decreasing both the ARR and EDSS, and may be an effective option after natalizumab.

[Frontal lobe-type dementia associated with motor neuron disease]. / Demencia do tipo frontal associada a doenca do neuronio motor.

A case of presenile dementia with dominant frontal disfunction, progressive aphasia and Motor Neuron Disease with prominent bulbar signs is reported. Considering the clinical examination, the measurements of the regional cerebral flow (SPECT) and the histological appearances, we suggest the diagnosis of Dementia of Frontal Lobe Type and Motor Neuron Disease. We reviewed other disorders labelled Primary Frontal or Fronto-temporal Dementias and we discuss this new dementia and the difficulty in its classification.

Sneddon's syndrome: a vascular systemic disease with kidney involvement?

Sneddon's syndrome is a systemic disease characterized by livedo reticularis and cerebrovascular disease. Other organs may be involved as well. Typical vascular lesions in the skin biopsy and/or digital arteries biopsy can be found. Arterial hypertension, cardiac pathology (ischemic disease, myocardial infarction, valvulopathy), venous thrombosis and even fetal death are also found sometimes. We present a case of Sneddon's syndrome in which typical vascular lesions in the kidney were demonstrated for the first time unequivocally confirming the systemic nature of this syndrome.