• Chih-Chao Yang, Long-Sun Ro, Nai-Wen Tsai, Chou-Ching Lin, Wen-Nan Huang, Ching-Piao Tsai, Thy-Sheng Lin, Jen-Jen Su, Chin-Chang Huang, Rong-Kuo Lyu, Hsin-Hua Chen, Wei-Ju Lee, Po-Lin Chen, and Audrey Yang.
• Department of Neurology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: jesse6627@gmail.com.
• J Formos Med Assoc. 2021 Jan 1; 120 (1 Pt 2): 542-550.

Background/PurposeMultiple sclerosis is classified as a rare disease in Taiwan. This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of fingolimod in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) from routine clinical practice in Taiwan.MethodsIn this retrospective, multicentre, observational study, we collected clinical data of patients treated with fingolimod 0.5 mg/day in routine clinical practice between September 2012 and December 2015. Primary outcome was the overall safety of fingolimod; secondary outcome was the annualized relapse rate (ARR).ResultsOverall, 62/69 (86.1%) patients were on fingolimod by the end of data collection period. Mean age (±standard deviation [SD]) at inclusion was 37.7 ± 10.10 years; mean duration of MS was 5.4 ± 4.52 years and mean duration of fingolimod exposure was 135.8 patient-years. The most common adverse events (AEs) were bradycardia (21.7%; first-dose related), upper respiratory tract infection, dizziness, and hypoaesthesia (numbness) (11.6% each), followed by urinary tract infection and back pain (7.2% each). Seven patients had liver enzyme-related AEs. Eight patients had absolute lymphocyte counts <0.2 × 103/uL over the study period. One patient developed second degree AV block after first-dosing. Serious AEs were observed in 11 patients (15.9%; mild-to-moderate). No newly developed macular oedema was detected. The ARR was 0.3 ± 0.74 in fingolimod-treated patients and 66.7% of patients were relapse-free. The mean (SD) change from baseline in expanded disability status scale score was -0.30 ± 1.353.ConclusionFingolimod 0.5 mg/day treatment with an average of 2 years of exposure was associated with a manageable safety profile, and maintained/improved effectiveness in RRMS patients from Taiwan.Copyright © 2020 Formosan Medical Association. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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