Introduction: Immunosuppressive agents (ISA) have been used in multiple sclerosis (MS) for decades, frequently as off label licensed therapies. Given the new MS treatment landscape, what place do ISA have in combating MS? Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicentre study to investigate the frequency of ISA prescription in 17 Italian MS centres, and to describe the clinical factors related to ISA use. Results: Out of 6,447 MS patients, 2,034 (31.6%) were treated with ISA, with Azathioprine being the most frequently used ISA overall. MS patients treated with ISA alone were more frequently affected by the progressive course (both primary and secondary) of the disease (RRR 5.82, 95% CI 4.14–8.16, p<0.0001), had higher EDSS (RRR 3.69, 95% CI 2.61–5.21, p<0.0001), higher assignment age (RRR 1.04, 95% CI 1.03–1.06, p<0.0001) than patients treated with only disease modifying drugs (DMDs). Conclusions: Progressive course, higher EDSS, higher assignment age were the strongest predictors of ISA prescription and use in our population.

The Use of Immunosuppressant Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis in Italy: A Multicenter Retroprospective Study

GRANIERI, Enrico Gavino Giuseppe;
2016

Abstract

Introduction: Immunosuppressive agents (ISA) have been used in multiple sclerosis (MS) for decades, frequently as off label licensed therapies. Given the new MS treatment landscape, what place do ISA have in combating MS? Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicentre study to investigate the frequency of ISA prescription in 17 Italian MS centres, and to describe the clinical factors related to ISA use. Results: Out of 6,447 MS patients, 2,034 (31.6%) were treated with ISA, with Azathioprine being the most frequently used ISA overall. MS patients treated with ISA alone were more frequently affected by the progressive course (both primary and secondary) of the disease (RRR 5.82, 95% CI 4.14–8.16, p<0.0001), had higher EDSS (RRR 3.69, 95% CI 2.61–5.21, p<0.0001), higher assignment age (RRR 1.04, 95% CI 1.03–1.06, p<0.0001) than patients treated with only disease modifying drugs (DMDs). Conclusions: Progressive course, higher EDSS, higher assignment age were the strongest predictors of ISA prescription and use in our population.
2016
D'Amico, E; Leone, C; Graziano, G; Amato, Mp; Bergamaschi, R; Cavalla, P; Coniglio, G; Di Battista, G; Ferrò, Mt; Granella, F; Granieri, Enrico Gavino Giuseppe; Lugaresi, A; Lus, G; Millefiorini, E; Pozzilli, C; Tedeschi, G; Zappia, M; Comi, G; Trojano, M; Lepore, V; Patti, F.
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11392/2347744
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus ND
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 7
social impact