M. Onofrj
University G. d’Annunzio
Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences

Author Of 1 Presentation

 Program
Gender Differences, Hormones and Sex Chromosomes Oral Presentation

PS12.04 - Pregnancy in a modern day multiple sclerosis cohort: Predictors of relapse during pregnancy

Speakers
Authors
Presentation Number
PS12.04
Presentation Topic
Gender Differences, Hormones and Sex Chromosomes
Lecture Time
10:00 - 10:12

Abstract

Background

Historically, disease activity diminished during pregnancy in women with relapsing-remitting MS. Today, women with high disease activity are more likely to attempt pregnancy due to the disease control that new therapies offer. But disease activity during pregnancy in the modern day remains understudied.

Objectives

Describe disease activity in a modern pregnancy cohort, grouped by preconception disease-modifying therapy (DMT) class; determine the predictors of relapse during pregnancy.

Methods

Data were obtained from the MSBase Registry. Term/preterm pregnancies conceived from 2011-2019 were included. DMT were classed by low, moderate and high-efficacy. Annualized relapse rates (ARR) were calculated for each pregnancy trimester and 12 months either side. Predictors of relapse during pregnancy were determined using clustered logistic regression.

Results

We included 1640 pregnancies from 1452 women. DMT used in the year before conception were none (n=346), low (n=845), moderate (n=207) and high-efficacy (n=242). Most common DMT in each class was interferon-beta (n=597), fingolimod (n=147) and natalizumab (n=219) for low, moderate and high-efficacy respectively. Conception EDSS ≥2 was more common in higher efficacy DMT groups (high: 41.3%; moderate 28.5%; low 22.4%; none 20.2%). For low-efficacy and no DMT groups, ARR fell through pregnancy. ARR of the moderate-efficacy group increased in the 1st pregnancy trimester (0.55 [95% CI 0.36-0.80] vs 0.14 [95% CI 0.10-0.21] on low-efficacy), then decreased to a trough in the third. Conversely, ARR steadily increased throughout pregnancy for those on high-efficacy DMT (3rd trimester: 0.42 [95% CI 0.25-0.66] vs 0.12 [95% CI 0.07-0.19] on low-efficacy). Higher efficacy DMT groups were associated with higher ARR in the early postpartum period (high: 0.84 [95% CI 0.62-1.1]; moderate: 0.90 [95% CI 0.65-1.2]; low: 0.47 [95% CI 0.38-0.58]). Preconception use of high and moderate-efficacy DMT and higher preconception ARR were predictors of relapse in pregnancy. But, continuation of high-efficacy DMT into pregnancy was protective against relapse (odds ratio 0.80 [95% CI 0.68-0.94]). Age ≥35 years was associated with reduced odds of relapse.

Conclusions

Women with RRMS treated with moderate or high-efficacy DMT are at greater risk of relapse during pregnancy. Careful pregnancy management, and use of long-acting high-efficacy DMT preconception, or continuing natalizumab into pregnancy, may prevent relapse in pregnancy.

Collapse

Author Of 5 Presentations

 On-Demand Program
Biostatistical Methods Poster Presentation

P0018 - Variability of the response to immunotherapy among sub-groups of patients with multiple sclerosis (ID 1239)

Speakers
Authors
Presentation Number
P0018
Presentation Topic
Biostatistical Methods

Abstract

Background

Our current understanding of demographic and clinical modifiers of the effectiveness of multiple sclerosis (MS) therapies is limited.

Objectives

To assess whether patients’ response to disease modifying therapies (DMT) in MS varies by disease activity (annualised relapse rate, presence of new MRI lesions), disability, age, MS duration or disease phenotype.

Methods

Using the international MSBase registry, we selected patients with MS followed for ≥1 year, with ≥3 visits, ≥1 visit per year. Marginal structural models (MSMs) were used to compare the hazard ratios (HR) of 6-month confirmed worsening and improvement of disability (EDSS), and the incidence of relapses between treated and untreated periods. MSMs were continuously re-adjusted for patient age, sex, pregnancy, date, time from first symptom, prior relapse history, disability and MRI activity.

Results

Among 23 687 patients with relapsing MS, those on DMT experienced 20% greater chance of disability improvement [HR 1.20 (95% CI 1.0-1.5)], 47% lower risk of disability worsening [HR 0.53 (0.39-0.71)] and 51% reduction in relapses [HR 0.49 (0.43-0.55)]. The effect of DMT on relapses and EDSS worsening was attenuated with longer MS duration and higher prior relapse rate. The effect of DMT on EDSS improvement and relapses was more evident in low EDSS categories. DMT was associated with 51% EDSS improvement in patients without new MRI lesions [HR 1.51 (1.00-2.28)] compared to 4% in those with MRI activity [HR 1.04 (0.88-1.24)]. Among 26329 participants with relapsing or progressive MS, DMT was associated with 25% reduction in EDSS worsening and 42% reduction in relapses in patients with relapsing MS [HR 0.75 (0.65-0.86) and HR 0.58 (CI 0.54-62), respectively], while evidence for such beneficial effects of treatment in patients with progressive MS was not found [HR 1.11 (0.91-1.46) and HR 1.16 (0.91-1.46), respectively].

Conclusions

DMTs are associated with reduction in relapse frequency, progression of disability, and increased chance of recovery from disability. In general, the effectiveness of DMTs was most pronounced in subgroups with shorter MS duration, lower EDSS, lower relapse rate and relapsing MS phenotype.

Collapse
Disease Modifying Therapies – Mechanism of Action Poster Presentation

P0344 - Injectable versus oral first-line disease-modifying therapies: results from Italian MS register (ID 1384)

Speakers
Authors
Presentation Number
P0344
Presentation Topic
Disease Modifying Therapies – Mechanism of Action

Abstract

Background

The advent of oral first-line disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) has expanded considerably the therapeutic landscape. However, here is an important need to gather real-world evidence data regarding long-term treatment effectiveness and safety in comparison to the old first-line injectables DMTs.

Objectives

To compare old injectable and oral first line DMTs for time to first relapse, time to confirmed disability progression (CDP), and time to discontinuation in a cohort of RRMS patients extracted from the Italian MS Registry.

Methods

Multicentre, observational, retrospectively acquired and propensity-adjusted cohort study of RRMS-naïve patients in the Italian MS Register starting injective or oral first line DMTs between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2017 to evaluate their impact on disability outcomes in patients. Enrolled patients were divided into two groups: injectable group (IG) and oral group (OG).

Results

From a cohort of 11,416 patients, 4,602 were enrolled (3,919 on IG and 683 on OG). IG had higher rate of women (67.3% vs 63.4%, p<.05) and a lower mean age (36.1±10.9 vs 38.9±11.8, p<.001). For the event time to first relapse, Cox models after PS adjustment revealed a lower risk for OG patients (HR 0.58 CI95% 0.47-0.70, p<0.001). About the risk of CDP, no differences were found in the two groups (HR 1.14 CI95% 0.88-1.48, p=0.306). About the risk of DMT discontinuation, OG patients showed lower risk (HR 0.70 CI95% 0.57-0.86 p=0.001) than IG patients.

Conclusions

Real-world data from the Italian MS registry suggest that first line oral DMTs are associated to lower risks of experiencing a new relapse and of therapy discontinuation in comparison to injectable DMTs.

Collapse
Epidemiology Poster Presentation

P0506 - Towards a validated Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis definition: A study from the Italian MS Register (ID 1432)

Speakers
Authors
Presentation Number
P0506
Presentation Topic
Epidemiology

Abstract

Background

No clear metrics for sensitive and reliable identification of the transition from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) to secondary progressive (SP)MS are available.

Objectives

To compare diagnostic performances of two different data-driven Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis definitions.

Methods

patient with RRMS with a follow-up ≥5 years, with a current age ≥18 years, and with ≥3 EDSS scores recorded were selected from the Italian MS Registry. Annual incidence of SPMS conversion was reported as number of patients converting to SP every 100 patients/year. Three different SPMS definitions have been used. Data-driven definitions based on the Lorscheider’s algorithm (LA) and on the EXPAND trial inclusion criteria were validated, using the neurologist’s definition as gold standard, in terms of calibration, discrimination and goodness of fit by calculating: sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value (PPV), Negative Predictive Value (NPV), the Akaike information criterion (AIC), the Area Under the Curve (AUC). The overall calibration of the data-driven definitions was evaluated by the Calibration Slope test.

Results

a cohort of 10,240 RRMS patients was extracted from the Italian MS Registry. According to the neurologist judgment, 880 (8.59%) patients were classified as SPMS in the dataset. By applying the LA and the EXPAND definition, 1,806 (17.64%) and 1,134 (11.07%) patients, respectively, were classified as SPMS. The annual rate of SP conversion during the follow-up was 0.74 every 100 patients/year based on the neurologist’s definition, 1.57 every 100 patients/year using the LA and 0.94 every 100 patients/year applying the EXPAND definition. Both the data-driven definitions were well calibrated, with a p-value of the Calibration Slope test higher than 0.05 (LA=0.55; EXPAND definition=0.57). The AIC (LA=4301; EXPAND definition=5510) and the R-Square (LA=0.15 vs EXPAND definition=0.05), were in favor of the LA. The LA showed a greater discrimination power (AUC: 0.83 vs 0.65) and a higher sensitivity (77.1% vs 38.0%) in comparison to the EXPAND definition. Both definitions showed similar specificity (88.0% vs 91.5%). The PPV and the NPV were both higher using the LA than those obtained by the EXPAND definition (37.5% vs 29.5%; 97.6% vs 94.0%, respectively).

Conclusions

An accurate definition of SP transition is needed for a timely and efficacious treatment of SPMS patients. Real-world data from the Italian MS Registry suggests that data-driven definitions had a greater ability to capture SP transition than neurologist’s definition and that the global accuracy of LA seems to be higher than a definition based on the EXPAND trial inclusion criteria.

Collapse
Observational Studies Poster Presentation

P0862 - Disability accrual in primary-progressive & secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis (ID 1232)

Speakers
Authors
Presentation Number
P0862
Presentation Topic
Observational Studies

Abstract

Background

Some cohort studies have reported similar onset age and disability accrual in primary and secondary progressive MS (PPMS, SPMS); others have reported later onset and faster disability accrual in SPMS. Comparisons are complicated by differences in baseline disability and exposure to disease-modifying therapies (DMT), and by lack of a standardized definition of SPMS.

Objectives

We compared hazards of disability accrual in PPMS and SPMS patients from the MSBase cohort using multivariable Cox models, applying validated diagnostic criteria for SPMS (Lorscheider et al., Brain 2016).

Methods

Inclusion required adult-onset progressive MS; ≥ 3 recorded Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores; and, for SPMS, initial records with EDSS ≤ 3 to allow objective identification of SPMS conversion. Phenotypes were subgrouped as active (PPMS-A, SPMS-A) if ≥ 1 progressive-phase relapse was recorded, and inactive (PPMS-N, SPMS-N) otherwise. Disability accrual was defined by sustained EDSS increases confirmed over ≥ 6 months. Hazard ratios (HR) for disability accrual were obtained using Andersen-Gill Cox models, adjusted for sex and time-varying age, disability, visit frequency, and proportion of time on DMT or immunosuppressive therapy. Sensitivity analyses were performed using (1) PPMS and SPMS diagnosed since 1995, and (2) physician-diagnosed SPMS. Cumulative probability of reaching EDSS ≥ 7 (wheelchair required) was assessed (Kaplan-Meier).

Results

5461 patients were included (1257 PPMS-N; 1308 PPMS-A; 1731 SPMS-N; 1165 SPMS-A). Age at progression onset was older in SPMS than PPMS (47.2 ± 10.2, vs. 41.5 ± 10.7 [mean ± SD]), and in the inactive subgroups of each phenotype. Hazard of disability accrual was decreased in SPMS relative to PPMS (HR 0.85; 95% CI 0.78–0.92); decreased by proportion of time on DMT (HR 0.99 per 10% increment; 0.98–0.99); and higher in males (1.18; 1.12–1.25). Relative to PPMS-N, hazard was decreased in SPMS-A (0.79; 0.71–0.87) but similar for PPMS-A (1.01; 0.93–1.10) and SPMS-N (0.94; 0.85–1.05). Sensitivity analyses corroborated these results. However, patients with SPMS-A reached EDSS ≥ 7 at younger ages (cumulative probability 30% by 57, vs. 64–66 for SPMS-N, PPMS-A, PPMS-N).

Conclusions

Progressive phase onset is later in SPMS than PPMS. Hazard of disability accrual during the progressive phase is lower in SPMS than PPMS. However, patients with SPMS-A reach wheelchair requirement younger than other progressive phenotypes, reflecting earlier progression onset versus SPMS-N, and greater disability at onset versus PPMS

Collapse
Reproductive Aspects and Pregnancy Poster Presentation

P1131 - Pregnancy in a modern day multiple sclerosis cohort: Predictors of postpartum relapse and disability progression (ID 1321)

Speakers
Authors
Presentation Number
P1131
Presentation Topic
Reproductive Aspects and Pregnancy

Abstract

Background

Disease activity has been investigated in pregnant women with RRMS treated with low-efficacy or no therapy. How newer, more efficacious therapies affect relapse and disability progression risk after pregnancy remains understudied.

Objectives

To describe disease activity in a modern pregnancy cohort contrasted with historical cohorts. To determine the predictors of postpartum relapse and the predictors of six-month confirmed disability progression events in a contemporary pregnancy cohort.

Methods

Data were obtained from the MSBase Registry. Term/preterm pregnancies conceived from 2011-2019 (modern cohort) were compared with those conceived between 2005-2010 and pre-2005. Annualised relapse rates (ARR) were calculated for each pregnancy trimester and 12 months either side. Predictors of time-to-relapse postpartum (1st 3 months) and time to 6-month confirmed disability progression event were determined with clustered Cox regression analyses. Breastfeeding duration and time to DMT reinitiation were modelled as time-varying covariates.

Results

We included 1640 pregnancies from 1452 women (modern cohort). Disease-modifying therapy (DMT) used in the year before conception included interferon-beta (n=597), natalizumab (n=219) and fingolimod (n=147). Continuation of DMT up to conception increased over time (31% pre-2005 vs 54% modern cohort). Preconception ARR decreased across epochs (pre-2005: 0·58 [95% CI 0·49-0·70]; 2005-2010: 0·40 [95% CI 0·36-0·45]; modern: 0·29 [95% CI 0·27-0·32]). In all epochs, ARR decreased during pregnancy to reach similar troughs in the 3rd trimester, and rebounded in the 1st 3-months postpartum. Preconception use of high-efficacy DMT predicted early postpartum relapse (hazard ratio (HR) 2.1 [1.4-3.1]); although those on no DMT were also at risk of postpartum relapse, relative to women on low-efficacy DMT (HR 2.7 [1.2-5.9]). Conception EDSS ≥2, higher preconception and in-pregnancy ARR were also risk factors. DMT reinitiation, particularly of high-efficacy DMT (HR 0.17 [0.07-0.38]), was protective against postpartum relapse. Women who breastfed were less likely to relapse (HR 0.63 [0.42-0.94]). 4.5% of modern pregnancies had confirmed disability progression after delivery. This was predicted by higher pregnancy and postpartum ARR, with postpartum ARR remaining independently predictive in multivariable analysis (HR 1.5 [1.2-2.0]).

Conclusions

The early postpartum period remains a period of vulnerability for disease rebound in women with MS in the modern era. Early DMT reinitiation, particularly with high-efficacy treatment, is protective against postpartum relapse. Confirmed disability progression events after pregnnacy are uncommon in the modern era. Relapse activity is the key driver of these events.

Collapse