Alemtuzumab treatment in real clinical practice: Experience in a multicenter cohort.

BACKGROUND: Alemtuzumab is a highly effective treatment for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), but in recent years safety-related concerns had emerged due to description of novel serious side effects not registered in CARE-MS I and CARE-MS II phase 3 studies, nor in TOPAZ extension study. Data about alemtuzumab use in real clinical practice are limited and based mainly on retrospective studies with small sample sizes. Therefore, more information about effectiveness and safety of alemtuzumab in this context is needed. METHODS: A multicenter observational prospective study to investigate effectivity and safety of alemtuzumab in a real-world setting was performed. Primary endpoints were the change in annualized relapse rate (ARR), and in disability measured by EDSS score. Secondary endpoints were the cumulative probability of confirmed 6-month disability improvement and worsening. Disability worsening and disability improvement were considered when the EDSS score was increased or decreased, respectively, in 1 point if baseline EDSS score was <5.0, or in 0.5 point if baseline EDSS score was ≥5.5, confirmed over 6 months. Other secondary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved NEDA-3 status (absence of clinical relapses, disability EDSS progression, and MRI disease activity as depicted by new/enlarging T2 lesions or Gadolinium enhancing T1 lesions). Adverse events also were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 195 RRMS patients (70% female) who started alemtuzumab treatment were included. Mean of follow-up was 2.38 years. Alemtuzumab significantly reduced the annualized relapse rate from baseline with risk reductions of 86%, 83.5%, and 84%, at 12, 24, and 36 months of follow-up respectively (Friedman test, p-value < 0.05 for all comparisons). Alemtuzumab also significantly reduced EDSS score over one and two years after starting alemtuzumab treatment (Friedman test, p-value<0.001 for both comparisons). A high proportion of patients presented confirmed 6-month stability or disability improvement (92%, 82%, and 79%, over 1, 2 and 3 years of follow-up respectively). The proportion of patients who retained NEDA-3 status at 12, 24 and 36 months were 61%, 49%, and 42%, respectively. Baseline characteristics associated with a lower probability of achieving NEDA-3 were younger age, sex female, high ARR, elevated number of previous treatments, and switch from a second line therapy. Infusion related reactions were the most frequent adverse event observed. The most common infections were urinary tract infections (50%), and upper respiratory tract infections (19%) over the 3 years of follow- up. Secondary thyroid autoimmunity was developed in 18.5% of patients. CONCLUSION: Alemtuzumab has demonstrated in real clinical practice high effectiveness in controlling multiple sclerosis activity, and no unexpected adverse events were observed.

[Fingolimod: effectiveness and safety in routine clinical practice. An observational, retrospective, multi-centre study in Asturias and Cantabria]. / Fingolimod: efectividad y seguridad en la practica clinica habitual. Estudio observacional, retrospectivo y multicentrico en Asturias y Cantabria.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of fingolimod in routine clinical practice in the region of Asturias and Cantabria (Spain). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective multicentre study of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with fingolimod, in accordance with the product data sheet. Effectiveness was evaluated in patients with at least one year's treatment. The following were calculated: annualised relapse rate (ARR), the percentage of patients free from relapses and free from gadolinium-enhancing lesions, and those who improved/maintained their score on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Both total population and according to previous treatment: immunomodulator (interferon beta-1 or glatiramer acetate) or natalizumab, were analysed. RESULTS: A total of 138 patients started treatment with fingolimod; 60% previously received an immunomodulator; 28% were given natalizumab; and 9% had no treatment. Ninety-nine patients were treated with fingolimod for at least one year. After one year of treatment, fingolimod decreased the ARR by 67% (1.26 to 0.42; p < 0.0001), increased the percentage of patients free from relapses from 24% to 69% (p < 0.0001) and the percentage of patients free from gadolinium-enhancing lesions from 70% to 85% (p < 0.0106). Altogether, 77% of the patients improved/maintained their score on the EDSS. Similar results were observed in patients previously treated with an immunomodulator. The effectiveness of the patients previously treated with natalizumab remained the same following treatment with fingolimod. CONCLUSIONS: Routine clinical practice in the regions of Asturias and Cantabria shows that fingolimod yields similar results to those observed in clinical trials, on comparing the clinicoradiological variables used in them.

TITLE: Fingolimod: efectividad y seguridad en la practica clinica habitual. Estudio observacional, retrospectivo y multicentrico en Asturias y Cantabria.Objetivo. Evaluar la efectividad y seguridad del fingolimod en la practica clinica habitual en la region de Asturias y Cantabria (España). Pacientes y metodos. Estudio retrospectivo y multicentrico de pacientes con esclerosis multiple recurrente remitente tratados con fingolimod, segun la ficha tecnica. La efectividad se evaluo en los pacientes con al menos un año de tratamiento. Se calculo la tasa anualizada de brotes (TAB), el porcentaje de pacientes libres de brotes y libres de lesiones captantes de gadolinio, y los que mejoraron/mantuvieron la puntuacion en la escala expandida del estado de discapacidad (EDSS). Se analizo la poblacion total y segun el tratamiento previo: inmunomodulador (interferon beta-1 o acetato de glatiramero) o natalizumab. Resultados. Un total de 138 pacientes iniciaron tratamiento con fingolimod; el 60% recibio previamente inmunomodulador; el 28%, natalizumab; y el 9%, ningun tratamiento. Noventa y nueve pacientes estuvieron al menos un año en tratamiento con fingolimod. Despues de un año de tratamiento, el fingolimod disminuyo la TAB en un 67% (1,26 a 0,42; p < 0,0001), aumento el porcentaje de pacientes libres de brotes de un 24% a un 69% (p < 0,0001), y el porcentaje de pacientes libres de lesiones captantes de gadolinio de un 70% a un 85% (p < 0,0106). El 77% de los pacientes mejoro/mantuvo la puntuacion en la EDSS. Resultados similares se observaron en pacientes tratados previamente con inmunomodulador. La efectividad de los pacientes tratados previamente con natalizumab se mantuvo tras el tratamiento con fingolimod. Conclusiones. La practica clinica habitual en las regiones de Asturias y Cantabria muestra que el fingolimod tiene resultados similares a los observados en los ensayos clinicos, al comparar las variables clinicorradiologicas utilizadas en estos ultimos.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and non-convulsive status epilepticus: a clinical and electroencephalographic follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and electroencephalographic findings from a confused elderly woman with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) that initially were compatible with the diagnosis of non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). METHODS AND RESULTS: A 75-year-old right-handed woman was admitted to our hospital because of confusion and alteration of mental status. The two first electroencephalograms (EEGs) showed continuous diffuse spikes, rhythmic sharp waves and sharp-and-slow wave complexes which were completely abolished after the administration of 10 mg of intravenous diazepam. Over the following days, the clinical state of the patient was unmodified despite aggressive antiepileptic therapy. A third EEG revealed pseudo-periodic negative or positive-negative slow waves localised in the right frontal region. Subsequently, two consecutive EEGs showed continuous periodic generalised bi-triphasic complexes at a rate of 1 Hz, compatible with the diagnosis of CJD. Finally, the patient died, and postmortem examination was diagnostic of the sporadic form of CJD. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and electroencephalographic features in the early stages of CJD may resemble NCSE. The administration of intravenous benzodiazepines and its clinical and electroencephalographic correlation, response to the antiepileptic therapy, and monitoring with serial EEG recordings may be helpful considerations in the differential diagnosis.

Factores que inciden en la participación social de los adultos mayores en actividades físico-recreativas / Factors affecting social participation of older adults in recreational physical activity

Esta investigación se enmarcó en la temática de ocupación y adulto mayor activo, con el propósito de dar respuesta a la pregunta de investigación ¿Qué factores inciden en la participación social del adulto mayor en actividades físico-recreativas?, orientándose a aquellos factores facilitadores u obstaculizadores de dicha participación. Para este objetivo realizamos entrevistas en profundidad a cuatro personas que cumplieron los criterios muestrales establecidos para el estudio, que corresponden a: adultos mayores que se reconozcan a sí mismos como activos, que participen hace al menos un año en actividades físico-recreativas, como mínimo una vez por semana en el último año. Para el análisis de datos de esta investigación cualitativa utilizamos la técnica de análisis de contenido desde el relato de los participantes, obteniendo como principales factores facilitadores de esta participación el intercambio de recursos no tangibles, la motivación, el cuerpo vivido, la trayectoria de vida, la habituación y la accesibilidad, como factores que influyen en la participación de adultos mayores. Además de los mencionados existe una variedad de factores que interactúan entre sí, determinando atrayentes relaciones inter e intra factoriales, donde identificamos aspectos transversales a las distintas temáticas abordadas en esta investigación que posibilitan la apertura de nuevas líneas de investigación para la ciencia de la ocupación y terapia ocupacional.

This research was part of the issue of occupation and active older adult, setting a goal to answer the research question: what factors influence the social participation of the elderly, specifically in recreational physical activity?, aiming specifically those factors that emerge as facilitators or impede participation. To achieve this objective, in-depth interviews were conducted to four people who met the criteria established for the study sample, corresponding to: older adult who recognize themselves as active, involved at least a year in recreational physical activity, and as at least once a week in the last year. This exploratory qualitative used the technique of content analysis from the account of participants, having as main findings of this participation facilitating factors, where the most significant relate to: exchange of intangible resources, motivation, lived body, path of life, habituation and accessibility, which relate primarily to factors relating to that person, being a powerful accessibility elderly external prism that influences their involvement in such activities. In addition there was a variety of factors that interact with each other attractive determining relationships within and between categories, which identified issues which cut across the different themes addressed in this research. Finally, note that the nature of this study enables the opening of new lines of research that may contribute to the occupation science and occupational therapy.

[The efficacy of the valproic acid-ethosuximide combination in the continuous slow point wave syndrome during sleep]. / Eficacia de la asociación ácido valproico-etosuximida en el síndrome de punta-onda lenta continua durante el sueño.

Continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep (CSWS) is a syndrome with a serious prognosis due to the frequent association with neuropsychological dysfunction. It is mandatory to consider this syndrome if an epileptic child suffers from behavioral changes, dysarthria or learning difficulties. We report on two patients with CSWS syndrome with focal abnormalities on the nondominant hemisphere and a proportion of generalized spike-waves discharges in more than 85% of their NREM sleep on the EEG. Both had a good response to the treatment with sodium valproate and ethosuximide at high doses. Both suffered a relapse of their clinical and EEG semiology after withdrawal of their treatment. After restarting treatment they became clinically normal with a normal sleep EEG recording. We propose the association of sodium valproate and ethosuximide for CSWS; this treatment should be maintained until adolescence.

Estudio observacional multicéntrico español de primeros episodios sugestivos de esclerosis múltiple: cohorte PREM / Spanish multi-centre observational study of the fi rst attacks suggestive of multiple sclerosis: the PREM cohort

Introducción. Estudios recientes han demostrado la necesidad de optimizar el manejo de los pacientes tras un primer brote sugerente de esclerosis múltiple (EM). Nuestro objetivo es comprobar si los resultados de seguimiento de estos estudios son reproducibles en un contexto multicéntrico español. Pacientes y métodos. El estudio PREM (estudio multicéntrico español prospectivo observacional a 24 meses) incluyó a pacientes en los tres primeros meses tras un primer brote sugerente de EM con al menos dos lesiones típicas en una resonancia magnética. Se obtuvo la Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) y se valoró la presencia de brotes basalmente y a los 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 y 24 meses; se realizó una resonancia magnética basalmente y a los 6 y 24 meses, para el cálculo del volumen cerebral y de volúmenes lesionales (T1, T2 y T1 tras la administración de gadolinio). Se valoraron los criterios de McDonald y Poser durante el seguimiento. Un subgrupo de pacientes fue seguido hasta completar cuatro años. Resultados. Se incluyó a 110 pacientes (un 67% mujeres) de edad media de 30,2 años; 22 pacientes abandonaron prematuramente el estudio. Un 19% y un 45% de pacientes cumplían criterios de Poser a los 6 meses y 24 meses, respectivamente; un 63% y un 71% en el caso de los criterios de McDonald. La EDSS descendió signifi cativamente (–0,94; p < 0,001) y se observó desarrollo de atrofi a (–1,2%; p < 0,001) a los 24 meses. Conclusión. Los resultados de seguimiento de pacientes con primeros brotes sugerentes de EM en un contexto multicéntrico español son superponibles a los de los ensayos clínicos internacionales realizados en estos pacientes (AU)

Introduction. Recent studies have shown the need to optimise the management of patients after a fi rst attack suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS). Our aim is to determine whether the results from follow-ups in these studies are reproducible within a Spanish multi-centre context. Patients and methods. The PREM study (observational prospective Spanish multi-centre study at 24 months) included patients in the fi rst three months following a fi rst event suggestive of MS with at least two typical lesions in a magnetic resonance scan. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was obtained and the presence of attacks was evaluated basally and at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months; a magnetic resonance scan was performed basally and at 6 and 24 months so as to be able to calculate the brain volume and the volumes of the lesions (T1, T2 and T1 after administering gadolinium). McDonald and Poser criteria were evaluated during the follow-up. A subgroup of patients was followed up for a total eriod of four years. Results. Altogether 110 patients (67% females) with a mean age of 30.2 years were included in the study; 22 patients dropped out of the study before it fi nished. Poser criteria were met by 19% and 45% of patients at 6 months and 24 months, respectively; 63% and 71% satisfi ed McDonald criteria. The EDSS decreased signifi cantly (–0.94; p < 0.001) and development of atrophy was observed (–1.2%; p < 0.001) at 24 months. Conclusions. Results of the follow-up of patients with fi rst attacks suggestive of MS within a Spanish multi-centre context are wholly comparable with those from international clinical trials performed in these patients (AU)