Maria José Sá1, Carla Cecília Nunes2, Ana Martins da Silva3, Patrícia Mota4, José Pinto-Marques5. 1. Centro Hospitalar de São João, Hospital de São João, Department of Neurology, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Porto, Portugal. Electronic address: mjsa@med.up.pt. 2. Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra, Department of Neurology, Coimbra, Portugal. 3. Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Hospital de Santo António, Department of Neurology, Instituto Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal. 4. Biogen, Lisbon, Portugal. 5. Centro Hospitalar de Setúbal, Hospital de São Bernardo, Department of Neurology, Setubal, Portugal.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To confirm anti-JC virus (JCV) antibody seroprevalence in Portuguese patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and to determine their anti-JCV antibody index. METHODS: JUSTIFY was a retrospective, multicentre study that included 655 RRMS patients tested at least once with the anti-JCV antibody assay STRATIFY JCV DxSelect. Demographic data, multiple sclerosis history and results of the anti-JCV antibody test were collected, along with physicians' reasons for requesting the test and the impact of the results. RESULTS: Overall anti-JCV antibody seroprevalence was 60.8% (95% confidence interval, 56.9-64.5). Seroprevalence was associated with higher age (P = .030) and was lower in natalizumab-treated patients (P < .001). The mean anti-JCV antibody index of immunosuppressant-naive patients was 1.5 ± 1.3 (n = 378). The main reasons for performing the test were clinical characterization (35.5%) and medication change (26.2%). In patients who switched treatments (n = 109), fingolimod (47.7%) and natalizumab (26.6%) were the most commonly chosen new treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed the high anti-JCV antibody prevalence in Portuguese RRMS patients and its association with age. These data can be used to better understand the benefit-risk profile of natalizumab treatment in Portuguese patients and to support progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy risk management strategies.
OBJECTIVE: To confirm anti-JC virus (JCV) antibody seroprevalence in Portuguese patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and to determine their anti-JCV antibody index. METHODS: JUSTIFY was a retrospective, multicentre study that included 655 RRMS patients tested at least once with the anti-JCV antibody assay STRATIFY JCV DxSelect. Demographic data, multiple sclerosis history and results of the anti-JCV antibody test were collected, along with physicians' reasons for requesting the test and the impact of the results. RESULTS: Overall anti-JCV antibody seroprevalence was 60.8% (95% confidence interval, 56.9-64.5). Seroprevalence was associated with higher age (P = .030) and was lower in natalizumab-treated patients (P < .001). The mean anti-JCV antibody index of immunosuppressant-naive patients was 1.5 ± 1.3 (n = 378). The main reasons for performing the test were clinical characterization (35.5%) and medication change (26.2%). In patients who switched treatments (n = 109), fingolimod (47.7%) and natalizumab (26.6%) were the most commonly chosen new treatments. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirmed the high anti-JCV antibody prevalence in Portuguese RRMS patients and its association with age. These data can be used to better understand the benefit-risk profile of natalizumab treatment in Portuguese patients and to support progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy risk management strategies.
Authors: Daniela Ferro; Beatriz Prista-Leão; Andreia Costa; André Silva-Pinto; Cândida Abreu; Maria José Sá Journal: J Cent Nerv Syst Dis Date: 2021-09-08
Authors: Robert Bonek; Wojciech Guenter; Robert Jałowiński; Anna Karbicka; Anna Litwin; Maciej Maciejowski; Radosław Zajdel; Karolina Zajdel; Veronique Petit; Konrad Rejdak Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2021-05-06 Impact factor: 4.241