Multiple sclerosis and related disorders
-
Mult Scler Relat Disord · Jan 2019
ReviewAutoimmune diseases associated with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: A literature review.
Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) which predominantly involves optic nerves and spinal cord. Since the introduction of Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD) as a separate entity, there have been many reports on its association with other disorders including systemic and organ-specific autoimmune diseases. Here, we reviewed other immune-mediated diseases associated with NMOSD and tried to categorize them. ⋯ NMOSD may be associated with a variety of different types of autoimmune diseases. Therefore, systemic or laboratory signs which are not typical for NMOSD should be properly investigated to exclude other associated comorbidities. These comorbidities may affect the treatment strategy and may improve the patients' care and management.
-
Mult Scler Relat Disord · Jan 2019
Color Doppler imaging evaluation of blood flow parameters in ophthalmic and posterior ciliary arteries and optic nerve diameter in chronic optic neuritis in multiple sclerosis patients.
Optic neuritis (ON) is a common clinical manifestation of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), which is associated with reduced visual acuity, blurred vision, blindness and retro-bulbar pain. In several studies, specific relations between optic nerve diameter and hemodynamics of the eye bulb arteries with ON have been reported. However, no consensus has been reached in this regard. We aim at determining the alterations in optic nerve diameter and eye bulb arteries hemodynamics in ON in MS patients. ⋯ These results indicate that there is a significant relation between eye involvement and increased optic nerve diameter in MS patients with chronic ON. While, there were no significant relations in EDV, PSV, RI and PI in PCA and OA comparing two groups.
-
Mult Scler Relat Disord · Jan 2019
Comparative StudyComparative effectiveness of dimethyl fumarate versus fingolimod and teriflunomide among MS patients switching from first-generation platform therapies in the US.
Previous real-world comparative research of MS disease modifying therapies (DMTs) in the overall population has suggested dimethyl fumarate (DMF) to be comparable to fingolimod (FTY) and more efficacious than teriflunomide (TERI) in reducing relapses. However, there is limited comparative evidence in patients switching from platform DMTs in the US. The objective of the study was to compare the annualized relapse rate (ARR) and risk of relapse in MS patients who have switched from a platform therapy to DMF, FTY, or TERI. ⋯ In this analysis, the effectiveness profiles for those oral DMT users specifically switching from platform therapies are consistent with findings from previous research conducted among all oral DMT users, regardless of prior therapy.