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- Title
A longitudinal observational study of a cohort of patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis treated with glatiramer acetate.
- Authors
Debouverie, M.; Moreau, T.; Lebrun, C.; Heinzlef, O.; Brudon, F.; Msihid, J.
- Abstract
Immunomodulatory treatments for relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) are not efficacious or tolerated in all patients. It is important to evaluate alternative classes of treatment in patients failing first-line therapy. The objective of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of glatiramer acetate in patients, to whom β-interferons could not be administered. The study included patients with RRMS who were intolerant to or had contraindications to β-interferon. After initiation of glatiramer acetate treatment, follow-up visits were made every 3 months, when data on neurologist-ascertained relapses and disability [Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score] were collected. Tolerability was evaluated by spontaneous adverse event reporting. Overall, 205 patients were studied and 113 (55.1%) treated for at least 4 years. The proportion of patients presenting over three relapses per year decreased from 51.2% to 8.4% in the 2 years following treatment initiation. Over 5 years of treatment, mean annualized relapse rates and mean EDSS scores remained stable (0.4–0.6 relapses/year and 3.6 ± 1.8–3.3 ± 2.1 respectively). Adverse events were reported by 179 patients, leading to discontinuation of treatment in 10 patients. Patients with RRMS to whom β-interferons cannot be prescribed can benefit from treatment with glatiramer acetate.
- Subjects
IMMUNOLOGICAL adjuvants; MULTIPLE sclerosis; INTERFERONS; CLINICAL trials; ANTIVIRAL agents; VIRUS diseases
- Publication
European Journal of Neurology, 2007, Vol 14, Issue 11, p1266
- ISSN
1351-5101
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1468-1331.2007.01964.x