Virtual versus usual in-office care for multiple sclerosis: The VIRTUAL-MS multi-site randomized clinical trial study protocol

BACKGROUND

Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects nearly 1 million people and is estimated to cost $85.4 billion in the United States annually. People with MS have significant barriers to receiving care and telemedicine could substantially improve access to specialized, comprehensive care. In cross-sectional analyses, telemedicine has been shown to be feasible, have high patient and clinician satisfaction, reduce patient costs and burden, and enable a reasonable assessment of disability. However, no studies exist evaluating the longitudinal impact of telemedicine care for MS. Here we describe the study protocol for VIRtual versus UsuAL In-office care for Multiple Sclerosis (VIRTUAL-MS). The main objective of the study is to evaluate the impact of telemedicine for MS care on: patient clinical outcomes, economic costs, patient, and clinician experience.

METHODS

This two-site randomized clinical trial will enroll 120 adults with a recent diagnosis of MS and randomize 1:1 to receive in-clinic vs. telemedicine care for 24 months. The primary outcome of the study is worsening in any one of the four Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite 4 (MSFC4) measures at 24 months. Other study outcomes include patient and clinician satisfaction, major healthcare costs, Expanded Disability Status Scale, treatment adherence, and digital outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study will directly address the key gaps in knowledge about longitudinal telemedicine-enabled care in an MS population. It will inform clinical care implementation as well as design of trials in MS and other chronic conditions.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT05660187.

Practical Considerations for Managing Pregnancy in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: Dispelling the Myths

Purpose of Review

Lack of consistent data and guidance have led to variations between clinicians in the management of pregnancy in women with multiple sclerosis (MS). Pregnant and/or lactating women are often excluded from clinical trials conducted in MS, and thus, the labeling for most disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) excludes use during pregnancy. This has led to heterogeneity in interpretation and labeling regarding the safety of DMTs during pregnancy and lactation and the required preconception washout periods. This review identifies key themes where there is conflicting information surrounding family planning and pregnancy in MS, focusing on the most common discussion points between physicians and patients during preconception planning, pregnancy, postpartum, and lactation. The goal was to inform the patient-physician conversation and provide best practice recommendations based on expert clinical expertise and experience.

Recent Findings

We outline the latest evidence-based data for DMT use during pregnancy and lactation, the effect of MS on fertility and fertility treatments, the risk of adverse pregnancy and delivery outcomes, the risk of postpartum relapse, and immunization and clinical imaging safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Summary

Management of family planning and pregnancy in patients with MS requires the most current information. Health care providers should discuss family planning early and frequently with patients with MS, and partners where practicable. Because management of pregnant people with MS will often require a risk/benefit analysis of their needs, shared decision-making in family planning discussions is emphasized. Additional data are needed for specific and underrepresented populations with MS (e.g., single parents or those from the LGBTQ+ community) and those at risk of racial and socioeconomic disparities in care. Pregnancy registries and the design and conduct of clinical trials focused on pregnant and lactating patients should provide additional data to guide the ongoing management of patients with MS.

A Closed-Loop Digital Health Tool to Improve Depression Care in Multiple Sclerosis: Iterative Design and Cross-Sectional Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial and its Impact on Depression Care

BACKGROUND

People living with multiple sclerosis (MS) face a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with a depressive disorder than the general population. Although many low-cost screening tools and evidence-based interventions exist, depression in people living with MS is underreported, underascertained by clinicians, and undertreated.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to design a closed-loop tool to improve depression care for these patients. It would support regular depression screening, tie into the point of care, and support shared decision-making and comprehensive follow-up. After an initial development phase, this study involved a proof-of-concept pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) validation phase and a detailed human-centered design (HCD) phase.

METHODS

During the initial development phase, the technological infrastructure of a clinician-facing point-of-care clinical dashboard for MS management (BRIDGE) was leveraged to incorporate features that would support depression screening and comprehensive care (Care Technology to Ascertain, Treat, and Engage the Community to Heal Depression in people living with MS [MS CATCH]). This linked a patient survey, in-basket messages, and a clinician dashboard. During the pilot RCT phase, a convenience sample of 50 adults with MS was recruited from a single MS center with 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire scores of 5-19 (mild to moderately severe depression). During the routine MS visit, their clinicians were either asked or not to use MS CATCH to review their scores and care outcomes were collected. During the HCD phase, the MS CATCH components were iteratively modified based on feedback from stakeholders: people living with MS, MS clinicians, and interprofessional experts.

RESULTS

MS CATCH links 3 features designed to support mood reporting and ascertainment, comprehensive evidence-based management, and clinician and patient self-management behaviors likely to lead to sustained depression relief. In the pilot RCT (n=50 visits), visits in which the clinician was randomized to use MS CATCH had more notes documenting a discussion of depressive symptoms than those in which MS CATCH was not used (75% vs 34.6%; χ21=8.2; P=.004). During the HCD phase, 45 people living with MS, clinicians, and other experts participated in the design and refinement. The final testing round included 20 people living with MS and 10 clinicians including 5 not affiliated with our health system. Most scoring targets for likeability and usability, including perceived ease of use and perceived effectiveness, were met. Net Promoter Scale was 50 for patients and 40 for clinicians.

CONCLUSIONS

Created with extensive stakeholder feedback, MS CATCH is a closed-loop system aimed to increase communication about depression between people living with MS and their clinicians, and ultimately improve depression care. The pilot findings showed evidence of enhanced communication. Stakeholders also advised on trial design features of a full year long Department of Defense-funded feasibility and efficacy trial, which is now underway.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05865405; http://tinyurl.com/4zkvru9x.

Expert opinion on the use of contraception in people with multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Current guidance on the selection of appropriate contraception for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To address this gap, an expert-led consensus program developed recommendations to support clinicians in discussing family planning and contraception with women and men with multiple sclerosis (MS).

METHODS

A multidisciplinary steering committee (SC) of 13 international clinical experts led the program, supported by an extended faculty of 32 experts representing 18 countries. A modified Delphi methodology was used for decision-making and consensus-building. The SC drafted 15 clinical questions focused on patient-centered care, selection of contraception, and timing of stopping/starting contraception and disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Statements addressing each question were drafted based on evaluation of published evidence and the experts' clinical experience. Consensus was reached if ⩾75% of respondents agreed (scoring 7-9 on a 9-point scale) with each recommendation.

RESULTS

Consensus was reached on 24 of 25 proposed recommendations, including how and when to discuss contraception, types and safety of contraceptives, and how to evaluate the most appropriate contraceptive options for specific patient groups, including those with significant disability or being treated with DMTs.

CONCLUSION

These expert recommendations provide the first practical, relevant, and comprehensive guidance for clinicians on the selection of contraception in PwMS.

Leveraging electronic health records and knowledge networks for Alzheimer's disease prediction and sex-specific biological insights

Identification of Alzheimer's disease (AD) onset risk can facilitate interventions before irreversible disease progression. We demonstrate that electronic health records from the University of California, San Francisco, followed by knowledge networks (for example, SPOKE) allow for (1) prediction of AD onset and (2) prioritization of biological hypotheses, and (3) contextualization of sex dimorphism. We trained random forest models and predicted AD onset on a cohort of 749 individuals with AD and 250,545 controls with a mean area under the receiver operating characteristic of 0.72 (7 years prior) to 0.81 (1 day prior). We further harnessed matched cohort models to identify conditions with predictive power before AD onset. Knowledge networks highlight shared genes between multiple top predictors and AD (for example, APOE, ACTB, IL6 and INS). Genetic colocalization analysis supports AD association with hyperlipidemia at the APOE locus, as well as a stronger female AD association with osteoporosis at a locus near MS4A6A. We therefore show how clinical data can be utilized for early AD prediction and identification of personalized biological hypotheses.

Disparities by Race in Pregnancy Care and Clinical Outcomes in Women With Multiple Sclerosis: A Diverse Multicenter Cohort

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Racial disparities exist in both neurologic and obstetric populations, underscoring the importance of evaluating pregnancy outcomes in diverse women with multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this multicenter retrospective study was to compare pregnancy care and outcomes between Black and Hispanic (underrepresented) and White women with MS.

METHODS

Demographic and clinical data were extracted from medical records of 9 US MS centers for women with MS/clinically isolated syndrome who delivered live births between 2010 and 2021. Sites identified at last 15 consecutive Black/Hispanic women and a matching number of White women. Socioeconomic factors, pregnancy, and MS care/outcomes were compared between groups (underrepresented and White and then Black and Hispanic) using Wilcoxon rank sum (U statistic and effect size r reported), χ2, t tests and logistic regressions as appropriate to data type. Multiple imputation by chained equation was used to account for missing data.

RESULTS

Overall, 294 pregnancies resulting in live births were analyzed ( 81 Black, 67 Hispanic, and 146 White mothers). Relative to underrepresented women, White women lived in areas of higher median (interquartile range [IQR]) Child Opportunity Index (79 [45.8] vs 22 [45.8], U = 3,824, r = 0.56, p < 0.0001) and were more often employed (84.9% vs 75%, odds ratio [OR] 2.57, CI 1.46-4.50, p = 0.0008) and privately insured (93.8% vs 56.8%, OR 11.6, CI 5.5-24.5, p < 0.0001) and more received a 14-week ultrasound (98.6% vs 93.9%, OR 4.66, CI 0.99-21.96, p = 0.027). Mode of delivery was significantly different between the three groups (X2(10,294) = 20.38, p = 0.03); notably, Black women had the highest rates of emergency cesarean deliveries, and Hispanic women highest rates of uncomplicated vaginal deliveries. Babies born to underrepresented women had lower median (IQR) birthweights than babies born to White women (3,198 g [435.3 g] vs 3,275 g [412.5 g], U = 9,255, r = 0.12, p = 0.04) and shorter median (IQR) breastfeeding duration (4.5 [3.3] vs 6.0 [4.2] months, U = 8,184, r = 0.21, p = 0.003). While underrepresented women were younger than White women (mean [SD] 30.9 [4.8] vs 33.8 [4.0], t = 1.97, CI 1.96-3.98, p < 0.0001), their median (Q1-Q3, IQR) Expanded Disability Status Scale was higher (1.5 [1-2.5, 1.5] vs 1 [0-1.5, 1.5], U = 7,260, r = 0.29, p < 0.0001) before pregnancy. Finally, medical records were missing more key data for Black women (19.7% missing vs 8.9% missing, OR 2.54, CI 1.25-5.06, p = 0.008).

DISCUSSION

In this geographically diverse multicenter cohort, underrepresented women entered pregnancy with higher disability and fewer health care resources. Pregnancy represents a pivotal window where structural factors affect maternal and fetal health and neurologic trajectories; it is a critical period to optimize care and health outcomes.

Pragmatic phase II clinical trial to improve depression care in a real-world diverse MS cohort from an academic MS centre in Northern California: MS CATCH study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Depression occurs in over 50% of individuals living with multiple sclerosis (MS) and can be treated using many modalities. Yet, it remains: under-reported by patients, under-ascertained by clinicians and under-treated. To enhance these three behaviours likely to promote evidence-based depression care, we engaged multiple stakeholders to iteratively design a first-in-kind digital health tool. The tool, MS CATCH (Care technology to Ascertain, Treat, and engage the Community to Heal depression in patients with MS), closes the communication loop between patients and clinicians. Between clinical visits, the tool queries patients monthly about mood symptoms, supports patient self-management and alerts clinicians to worsening mood via their electronic health record in-basket. Clinicians can also access an MS CATCH dashboard displaying patients' mood scores over the course of their disease, and providing comprehensive management tools (contributing factors, antidepressant pathway, resources in patient's neighbourhood). The goal of the current trial is to evaluate the clinical effect and usability of MS CATCH in a real-world clinical setting.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

MS CATCH is a single-site, phase II randomised, delayed start, trial enrolling 125 adults with MS and mild to moderately severe depression. Arm 1 will receive MS CATCH for 12 months, and arm 2 will receive usual care for 6 months, then MS CATCH for 6 months. Clinicians will be randomised to avoid practice effects. The effectiveness analysis is superiority intent-to-treat comparing MS CATCH to usual care over 6 months (primary outcome: evidence of screening and treatment; secondary outcome: Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale-Depression scores). The usability of the intervention will also be evaluated (primary outcome: adoption; secondary outcomes: adherence, engagement, satisfaction).

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

University of California, San Francisco Institutional Review Board (22-36620). The findings of the study are planned to be shared through conferences and publishments in a peer-reviewed journal. The deidentified dataset will be shared with qualified collaborators on request, provision of CITI and other certifications, and data sharing agreement. We will share the results, once the data are complete and analysed, with the scientific community and patient/clinician participants through abstracts, presentations and manuscripts.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05865405.

Women's Health and Pregnancy in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis has a 3:1 female-to-male predominance and commonly presents in young adult women. The hormonal changes in women throughout their lifetime do affect the underlying pathology of multiple sclerosis, and the needs of women therefore change with age. Although multiple sclerosis does not adversely affect fertility or pregnancy, there are many factors to consider when caring for women throughout family planning, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. The care of these women and complex decisions regarding disease-modifying therapy use in family planning should be individualized and comprehensive.

Multiple Sclerosis and Family Planning: A Survey Study of the Patient Experience

Background and Objectives

Multiple sclerosis (MS) commonly affects women in their childbearing years, necessitating discussion between patients and their MS treatment team around the issues of family planning, pregnancy, and postpartum experiences. This study assessed the impact of a diagnosis of MS on women's reproductive decision-making and on their perception of counseling received surrounding pregnancy. It also sought to evaluate trends in pregnancy and postpartum experiences and determine whether experiences differed by race, ethnicity, and zip code.

Methods

Women with an MS diagnosis seen at the University of Virginia MS Clinic or at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) MS Clinic were invited to participate in a survey study. MS disease and pregnancy history, and, when appropriate, reasons for pregnancy avoidance were collected. Respondents who had >1 pregnancy following MS diagnosis were asked to evaluate the counseling they received from medical professionals and to share their pregnancy experiences including complications during pregnancy, delivery outcomes, and postpartum experience including breastfeeding.

Results

Of the 280 respondents, 76.6% were currently receiving MS specialty care. Most of them (79.3%) had not been pregnant following MS diagnosis. Of them, 20.1% indicated that this decision was driven by MS-related concerns: MS worsening with pregnancy (47%); ability to care for child secondary to MS (35%); passing MS onto child (19%); stopping disease-modifying therapies to attempt pregnancy (14%); lack of knowledge about options for pregnancy and MS (9%). Women with a more recent estimated decade of pregnancy were more likely to report neurologist counseling regarding MS and pregnancy (pregnancy before 2000: 40%, 2000-2010: 64.7%, 2010- present: 83.3%; χ2 0.020). Breastfeeding initiation was reported in 71.4% of postdiagnosis pregnancies (median duration 6 months, interquartile range 1.75-11).

Discussion

Over the past few decades, women with MS have received a wide range of evolving guidance surrounding family planning, pregnancy, and postpartum care. Survey data suggest improvements in MS/pregnancy counseling and medical management in recent years, which may be driven by an increase in research in the field. There remains an important need and opportunity to improve counseling of women with MS who are considering pregnancy.

A Closed-Loop Falls Monitoring and Prevention App for Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Practice: Human-Centered Design of the Multiple Sclerosis Falls InsightTrack

BACKGROUND

Falls are common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), causing injuries, fear of falling, and loss of independence. Although targeted interventions (physical therapy) can help, patients underreport and clinicians undertreat this issue. Patient-generated data, combined with clinical data, can support the prediction of falls and lead to timely intervention (including referral to specialized physical therapy). To be actionable, such data must be efficiently delivered to clinicians, with care customized to the patient's specific context.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to describe the iterative process of the design and development of Multiple Sclerosis Falls InsightTrack (MS-FIT), identifying the clinical and technological features of this closed-loop app designed to support streamlined falls reporting, timely falls evaluation, and comprehensive and sustained falls prevention efforts.

METHODS

Stakeholders were engaged in a double diamond process of human-centered design to ensure that technological features aligned with users' needs. Patient and clinician interviews were designed to elicit insight around ability blockers and boosters using the capability, opportunity, motivation, and behavior (COM-B) framework to facilitate subsequent mapping to the Behavior Change Wheel. To support generalizability, patients and experts from other clinical conditions associated with falls (geriatrics, orthopedics, and Parkinson disease) were also engaged. Designs were iterated based on each round of feedback, and final mock-ups were tested during routine clinical visits.

RESULTS

A sample of 30 patients and 14 clinicians provided at least 1 round of feedback. To support falls reporting, patients favored a simple biweekly survey built using REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture; Vanderbilt University) to support bring-your-own-device accessibility-with optional additional context (the severity and location of falls). To support the evaluation and prevention of falls, clinicians favored a clinical dashboard featuring several key visualization widgets: a longitudinal falls display coded by the time of data capture, severity, and context; a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and evidence-based checklist of actions intended to evaluate and prevent falls; and MS resources local to a patient's community. In-basket messaging alerts clinicians of severe falls. The tool scored highly for usability, likability, usefulness, and perceived effectiveness (based on the Health IT Usability Evaluation Model scoring).

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first falls app designed using human-centered design to prioritize behavior change and, while being accessible at home for patients, to deliver actionable data to clinicians at the point of care. MS-FIT streamlines data delivery to clinicians via an electronic health record-embedded window, aligning with the 5 rights approach. Leveraging MS-FIT for data processing and algorithms minimizes clinician load while boosting care quality. Our innovation seamlessly integrates real-world patient-generated data as well as clinical and community-level factors, empowering self-care and addressing the impact of falls in people with MS. Preliminary findings indicate wider relevance, extending to other neurological conditions associated with falls and their consequences.

Emerging Subspecialties in Neurology: Women's Neurology

The influence of sex and gender on neurologic disease has become increasingly recognized in science and medicine. This is evident across a woman's lifespan especially during periods of hormonal transitions. Leaders in neurology have advocated for the importance of sex and gender-enriched clinical care, education, and research. The scope of women's neurology spans across a woman's life including puberty, adolescence, peripartum care, menopause, and aging. Women's neurology is a new subspecialty that aligns with a specific patient population and intersects with established neurology subspecialties and other specialties such as obstetrics, maternal fetal medicine, endocrinology, and psychiatry. Its establishment and collaboration with existing and emerging fields enables a more comprehensive approach to neurologic illness through the lens of sex and gender. Women's neurology is rapidly evolving through increased focus at academic centers, including expanded women's neurology curricula, dedicated women's neurology fellowship programs, improved understanding of sex and gender issues in neurosciences, and expansion of therapeutic options. Herein, we describe the history of the women's neurology field, emerging need for women's neurology specialists, information about training and career opportunities, and future directions.

Use of smartphone-based remote assessments of multiple sclerosis in Floodlight Open, a global, prospective, open-access study

Floodlight Open was a global, open-access, digital-only study designed to understand the drivers and barriers in deployment and use of a smartphone app in a naturalistic setting and broad study population of people with and without multiple sclerosis (MS). The study utilised the Floodlight Open app: a 'bring-your-own-device' solution that remotely measures a user's mood, cognition, hand motor function, and gait and postural stability via smartphone sensor-based tests requiring active user input ('active tests'). Levels of mobility of study participants ('life-space measurement') were passively measured. Study data from these tests were made available via an open-access platform. Data from 1350 participants with self-declared MS and 1133 participants with self-declared non-MS from 17 countries across four continents were included in this report. Overall, MS participants provided active test data for a mean duration of 5.6 weeks or a mean duration of 19 non-consecutive days. This duration increased among MS participants who persisted beyond the first week to a mean of 10.3 weeks or 36.5 non-consecutive days. Passively collected life-space measurement data were generated by MS participants for a mean duration of 9.8 weeks or 50.6 non-consecutive days. This duration increased to 16.3 weeks/85.1 non-consecutive days among MS participants who persisted beyond the first week. Older age, self-declared MS disease status, and clinical supervision as part of concomitant clinical research were all significantly associated with higher persistence of the use of the Floodlight Open app. MS participants performed significantly worse than non-MS participants on four out of seven active tests. The findings from this multinational study inform future research to improve the dynamics of persistence of use of digital monitoring tools and further highlight challenges and opportunities in applying them to support MS clinical care.

Hormonal Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis: a Review of Clinical Data

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Given the potential for exogenous hormones to influence risk and course of MS, this narrative review aims to summarize current knowledge from observational and interventional studies of exogenous hormones in humans with MS.

RECENT FINDINGS

Large randomized clinical trials for combined oral contraceptives and estriol both show modest effect on inflammatory activity, with the latter showing potential neuroprotective effect. After fertility treatment, large actively treated cohorts have not confirmed any elevated risk of relapse. Preclinical data suggest that androgens, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), and selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) may be neuroprotective but clinical data are lacking. Gender affirming treatment, particularly estrogen in trans-women, could possibly be associated with elevated risk of inflammation. For women with MS entering menopause, hormone therapy appears safe during the appropriate menopausal window, but its long-term effects on neuroprotection are unknown. Exogenous hormones, used in varied doses and for diverse indications, have variable effects on MS risk, inflammatory activity, and neuroprotection. Large randomized trials are needed before it is possible to determine the true effect of exogenous hormones in a condition as complex as MS.

Potential Medicare and Medicaid Savings on Anti-CD20 Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis

This cross-sectional study compares price data for ocrelizumab and rituximab to estimate the savings to Medicare and Medicaid if rituximab were used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis instead of the higher-priced ocrelizumab.

"Self-care selfies": Patient-uploaded videos capture meaningful changes in dexterity over 6 months

OBJECTIVE

Upper extremity function reflects disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). This study evaluated the feasibility, validity, and sensitivity to change of remote dexterity assessments applying human pose estimation to patient-uploaded videos.

METHODS

A discovery cohort of 50 adults with MS recorded "selfie" videos of self-care tasks at home: buttoning, brushing teeth, and eating. Kinematic data were extracted using MediaPipe Hand pose estimation software. Clinical comparison tests were grip and pinch strength, 9 hole peg test (9HPT), and vibration, and patient-reported dexterity assessments (ABILHAND). Feasibility and acceptability were evaluated (Health-ITUES framework). A validation cohort (N = 35) completed 9HPT and videos.

RESULTS

The modality was feasible: 88% of the 50 enrolled participants uploaded ≥3 videos, and 74% completed the study. It was also usable: assessments easy to access (95%), platform easy to use (97%), and tasks representative of daily activities (86%). The buttoning task revealed four metrics with strong correlations with 9HPT (nondominant: r = 0.60-0.69, dominant: r = 0.51-0.57, P < 0.05) and ABILHAND (r = -0.48, P = 0.05). Retest validity at 1 week was stable (r > 0.8). Cross-sectional correlations between video metrics and 9HPT were similar at 6 months, and in the validation cohort (nondominant: r = 0.46, dominant: r = 0.45, P < 0.05). Over 6 months, pinch strength (5.8-5.0 kg/cm2 , P = 0.05) and self-reported pinch (ABILHAND) decreased marginally. While only 15% of participants worsened by 20% on 9HPT, 70% worsened in key buttoning video metrics.

INTERPRETATION

Patient-uploaded videos represent a novel, patient-centered modality for capturing dexterity that appears valid and sensitive to change, enhancing its potential to be disseminated for neurological disease monitoring and treatment.

Low protection from breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection and mild disease course in ocrelizumab-treated patients with multiple sclerosis after three mRNA vaccine doses

BACKGROUND

Our study investigated the rate of breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infection and clinical outcomes in a cohort of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who were treated with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (Ab), ocrelizumab, before first, second and third BNT162b2 mRNA vaccinations. To correlate clinical outcomes with the humoral and cellular response.

METHODS

The study was a prospective non-randomised controlled multicentre trial observational study. Participants with a diagnosis of MS who were treated for at least 12 months with ocrelizumab prior to the first BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination were prospectively followed up from January 2021 to June 2022.

RESULTS

Out of 54 participants, 32 (59.3%) developed a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test in the study period. Mild infection was observed in all infected participants. After the third vaccination, the non-infected participants had higher mean Ab levels compared to the infected participants (54.3 binding antibody unit (BAU)/mL vs 26.5 BAU/mL, p=0.030). The difference in reactivity between spike-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the two groups was not significant.

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

The study results demonstrate rates of 59% in breakthrough infections after the third SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in ocrelizumab-treated patients with MS, without resulting in critical disease courses. These findings suggest the need for continuous development of prophylactic treatments when proved important in the protection of severe breakthrough infection.

Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapy in postpartum women with neurological conditions

OBJECTIVE

Postpartum, patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) have increased risk for disease activity. Anti-CD20 IgG1 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) are increasingly used as disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Patients may wish to both breastfeed and resume DMT postpartum. This study aimed to determine the transfer of anti-CD20 IgG1 mAbs, ocrelizumab, and rituximab (OCR/RTX), into mature breastmilk and describe maternal and infant outcomes.

METHODS

Fifty-seven cis-women receiving OCR/RTX after 59 pregnancies and their infants were enrolled and followed up to 12M postpartum or 90 days post-infusion. Breastmilk was collected pre-infusion and serially up to 90 days and assayed for mAb concentration. Medical records and patients' questionnaire responses were obtained to assess neurologic, breastfeeding, and infant development outcomes.

RESULTS

The median average concentration of mAb in breastmilk was low (OCR: 0.08 μg/mL, range 0.05-0.4; RTX: 0.03 μg/mL, range 0.005-0.3). Concentration peaked 1-7 days post-infusion in most (77%) and was nearly undetectable after 90 days. Median average relative infant dose was <1% (OCR: 0.1%, range 0.07-0.7; RTX: 0.04%, range 0.005-0.3). Forty-three participants continued to breastfeed post-infusion. At 8-12 months, the proportion of infants' growth between the 3rd and 97th World Health Organization percentiles did not differ for breastfed (36/40) and non-breastfed (14/16, p > 0.05) infants; neither did the proportion with normal development (breastfed: 37/41, non-breastfed: 11/13; p > 0.05). After postpartum infusion, two mothers experienced a clinical relapse.

INTERPRETATION

These confirm minimal transfer of mAb into breastmilk. Anti-CD20 mAb therapy stabilizes MS activity before conception to the postpartum period, and postpartum treatments appears to be safe and well-tolerated for both mother and infant.

Re-WRAP (Remyelination for women at risk of axonal loss and progression): A phase II randomized placebo-controlled delayed-start trial of bazedoxifene for myelin repair in multiple sclerosis

INTRODUCTION

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a major cause of disability in young and middle-aged people, and myelin repair therapies are needed to slow or potentially reverse this damage. Bazedoxifene (BZA) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator identified in a novel high-throughput unbiased screen for its remyelinating potential, and its remyelinating effects were demonstrated in pre-clinical models.

METHODS

This is a single-center, double blind, randomized, controlled, delayed-start Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT04002934) investigating the remyelinating effects of BZA relative to placebo. Female patients with relapsing-remitting MS, aged 45-60 years (or > 40 if post-menopausal), and ambulatory status (EDSS 0-6 inclusive), will be recruited into a clinical trial with 2 arms of identical design, except that the "Chronic Optic Neuropathy" arm requires additional inclusion criteria of electrophysiological evidence of prior visual pathway demyelination. Clinical, electrophysiological, and imaging evaluations will occur at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. The primary outcome is change in Myelin Water Fraction (MWF) on MRI within the corpus callosum. Secondary outcomes are: visual evoked potential (VEP) P100 latency, novel digital measures of cognition and activity, and patient reported outcomes. Tertiary outcomes are: safety and tolerability.

DISCUSSION

BZA has strong preclinical effects on myelin repair, and in the general population demonstrated benefits in treating postmenopausal osteoporosis. Together, these findings support the rationale for an RCT testing BZA in women with MS, evaluating established neuroimaging and neurovisual measures of myelin repair. Additionally, validating novel digital tools could increase sensitivity to change and inform the duration and design of future clinical trials.

Fall Assessment and Monitoring in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Practical Evidence-Based Review for Clinicians

Purpose of Review

Falls occur in more than half of all people with multiple sclerosis (MS) but tend to be underdiagnosed and underreported in clinical encounters. This narrative review aims to summarize evidence-based approaches for evaluating fall risk and proven treatment strategies to reduce falling in people with MS to improve care for people with MS and to enhance interprofessional care coordination between treating neurologic and physical therapy (PT) teams.

Recent Findings

Screening not just for falls but for near-falls as well because fear of falling can improve fall assessment and identify patients who may benefit from fall prevention interventions. A number of barriers, including time constraints during visits and the fallacy that falling is inevitable in MS, can limit clinician awareness about patient falls and delay timely referral to PT. Consultation with physical therapists for individualized fall prevention treatment can reduce risk of falling. Interventional studies have also shown that PT-guided exercise programs improve balance confidence in people with MS. However, people with MS are often under-referred to PT by treating clinicians.

Summary

A clinical approach is provided to summarize practical, accessible, evidence-based, low-burden measurements and interventions likely to improve ascertainment of patients at risk of falling and optimize timely PT referral and treatment.

Well-being at midlife: Correlates of mental health in ambulatory menopausal women with multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

A majority of women with multiple sclerosis (MS) are diagnosed prior to menopause, yet their experiences during this transition are not well characterized.

OBJECTIVES

To explore associations between mental health, sleep, and other quality of life metrics, and vasomotor symptoms (VMSs) in ambulatory, menopausal women with MS.

METHODS

A secondary analysis was performed of baseline data from two trials enrolling ambulatory peri/postmenopausal women with MS: NCT02710214 (N = 24, bothersome VMS) and NCT04002934 (ongoing, N = 35, myelin repair). Measures analyzed were 36-Item Short-Form Survey (SF-36) (primary scale: general mental health), subjective sleep quality (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index), VMS (daily diary, interference), mood (Center for Epidemiologist Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D)), walking impairment (timed 25-foot walk (T25FW)), and global disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)).

RESULTS

Participants' characteristics (N = 59) were: mean age 51.8 years (SD = 3.4), mean disease duration 11.3 years (SD = 7.6), median EDSS 3.0 (IQR = 2.0-4.0). Mental health was associated with better sleep quality (rho = -0.41, p = 0.019) and better mood (rho = -0.75, p < 0.001), but not with EDSS or T25FW (rho < 0.20, p > 0.10). Worse sleep quality also correlated with more frequent VMS (rho = 0.41, p = 0.02) and VMS interference (rho = 0.59, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that optimizing sleep quality, mood, and hot flash quantity/interference could substantially improve mental health in menopausal women with MS-and highlight an important care gap in this population.

Influence of menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use on MS symptom fluctuations: A pilot study

BACKGROUND

In clinical practice, females with MS often report menstrually-related symptom fluctuations. Hypothetically, use of oral contraceptives (OCs) could reduce these fluctuations, particularly continuous OCs (11+ weeks of consistent exogenous hormones followed by 1 week placebo).

OBJECTIVES

To prospectively capture (1) whether neurologic and generalized symptoms vary with menstrual cycle phase and (2) whether type of contraception impacts symptom fluctuations.

METHODS

In this two-center pilot study, females with MS and a regular menstrual cycle prospectively tracked their menstrual cycles and completed symptom surveys for up to 6 months. Participants were categorized as 1) users of oral contraceptives, either a) cyclic or b) continuous, or 2) endogenously cycling, either c) hormonal intrauterine device (IUD) users or d) "none users" (e.g. no hormonal contraception; included condoms, copper IUD, tubal ligation, "fertility awareness methods"). There was no correction for multiple analyses.

RESULTS

Altogether, 47/70 participants (67%) provided >4 weeks of data and were included in the analyses. Mean (SD) age was 35.0 (0.9) years, median (IQR) EDSS was 1.5 (1-2) and mean (SD) SymptoMScreen score was 10.4 (9.6). For endogenously cycling patients (IUD and none users), fatigue (MFIS) was lower in the perimenstrual period than in the luteal period (p < 0.05). For continuous OC users, variability in symptoms was lower than for endogenously cycling females (MFIS: p < 0.01; Daily Hassles, from Uplift & Hassles Survey: p < 0.05) or cyclic OC users (MFIS: p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In this pilot study, symptom severity did not definitively fluctuate in relationship to the menstrual cycle in endogenously cycling participants. However, fatigue and daily hassles were less variable for participants using continuous OC than for cyclic OC users or no-OC users. Future confirmatory studies are warranted to further examine whether contraceptive choice can be leveraged to manage symptom fluctuation in cycling females with MS. Such studies could enroll larger cohorts over fewer cycles or employ incentivization and hormonal measurements to enhance participant retention and statistical power.

Characteristics of multiple sclerosis and demyelinating disease in an Asian American population

BACKGROUND

Race and ancestry influence the course of multiple sclerosis (MS).

OBJECTIVES

Explore clinical characteristics of MS and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in Asian American patients.

METHODS

Chart review was performed for 282 adults with demyelinating disease who self-identified as Asian at a single North American MS center. Demographics and clinical characteristics were compared to non-Asian MS patients and by region of Asian ancestry.

RESULTS

Region of ancestry was known for 181 patients. Most (94.7%) preferred English, but fewer East Asian patients did (80%, p = 0.0001). South Asian patients had higher neighborhood household income (p = 0.002). Diagnoses included MS (76.2%) and NMOSD (13.8%). More patients with NMOSD than MS were East and Southeast Asian (p = 0.004). For MS patients, optic nerve and spinal cord involvement were similar across regions of ancestry. Asian MS patients were younger at symptom onset and diagnosis than non-Asian MS patients. MS Severity Scale scores were similar to non-Asian MS patients but worse among Southeast Asians (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSIONS

MS severity was similar between Asian American patients and non-Asian patients. Region of ancestry was associated with differences in sociodemographics and MS severity. Further research is needed to uncover genetic, socioeconomic, or environmental factors causing these differences.

Inflammatory and neurodegenerative serum protein biomarkers increase sensitivity to detect disease activity in multiple sclerosis

Background/Objectives

Serum proteomic analysis of deeply-phenotyped samples, biological pathway modeling and network analysis were performed to elucidate the inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes of multiple sclerosis (MS) and identify sensitive biomarkers of MS disease activity (DA).

Methods

Over 1100 serum proteins were evaluated in >600 samples from three MS cohorts to identify biomarkers of clinical and radiographic (gadolinium-enhancing lesions) new MS DA. Protein levels were analyzed and associated with presence of gadolinium-enhancing lesions, clinical relapse status (CRS), and annualized relapse rate (ARR) to create a custom assay panel.

Results

Twenty proteins were associated with increased clinical and radiographic MS DA. Serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) showed the strongest univariate correlation with radiographic and clinical DA measures. Multivariate modeling significantly outperformed univariate NfL to predict gadolinium lesion activity, CRS and ARR.

Discussion

These findings provide insight regarding correlations between inflammatory and neurodegenerative biomarkers and clinical and radiographic MS DA.

Funding

Octave Bioscience, Inc (Menlo Park, CA).

Clinical course of multiple sclerosis and patient experiences during breast cancer treatment

BACKGROUND

Over one-third of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are post-menopausal women, the primary demographic affected by breast cancer. After breast cancer diagnosis, there is little information about patients' clinical experiences with both diseases.

OBJECTIVE

Utilize a case series of MS patients diagnosed with breast cancer to characterize oncologic and MS trajectories, and generate novel insights about clinical considerations using qualitative analysis.

METHODS

A single-center retrospective review was performed on medical record data of patients with MS and breast cancer. Thematic analysis was used to characterize experiences with the concurrent diagnoses.

RESULTS

For the 43 patients identified, mean age was 56.7 years at cancer diagnosis and MS duration was 16.5 years. Approximately half were treated with MS disease modifying therapy at cancer diagnosis, and half of these subsequently discontinued or changed therapy. Altogether 14% experienced MS relapse(s) during follow-up (with 2 relapses in the first 2 years), with mean annualized relapse rate of 0.03. Cohort Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores remained stable during follow-up. Qualitative insights unique to this population were identified regarding immunosuppression use and neurologic symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

MS relapses were infrequent, and there was modest progression during breast cancer treatment. Oncologic outcomes were comparable to non-MS patients with similarly staged cancer.

Inflammatory Activity After Diverse Fertility Treatments: A Multicenter Analysis in the Modern Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Era

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) may seek fertility treatment (FT)-including in vitro fertilization (IVF). Variable relapse risk after IVF has been reported in small historical cohorts, with more recent studies suggesting no change in annualized relapse rate (ARR). The objective of this study was to evaluate ARR 12 months pre-FT and 3 months post-FT in a multicenter cohort and identify factors associated with an increased risk of relapse.

METHODS

Patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or MS aged 18-45 years with at least 1 FT from January 1, 2010, to October 14, 2021, were retrospectively identified at 4 large academic MS centers. The exposed period of 3 months after FT was compared with the unexposed period of 12 months before FT. FTs included controlled ovarian stimulation followed by fresh embryo transfer (COS-ET), COS alone, embryo transfer (ET) alone, and oral ovulation induction (OI). The Wilcoxon signed rank test and mixed Poisson regression models with random effects were used to compare ARR pre-FT vs post-FT, with the incidence rate ratio (IRR) and 95% CI reported.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-four FT cycles among 65 patients with MS (n = 56) or CIS (n = 9) were included: 61 COS-ET, 19 COS alone, 30 ET alone, and 14 OI. The mean age at FT was 36.5 ± 3.8 years, and the mean disease duration was 8.2 ± 5.0 years. Across 80 cycles with COS, only 5 relapses occurred among 4 unique patients within 3 months of treatment. The mean ARR after COS and before was not different (0.26 vs 0.25, p = 0.37), and the IRR was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.52-1.76, p = 0.88). No cycles with therapeutic disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) during COS had 3 months relapse (ARR 0 post-COS vs 0.18 pre-COS, p = 0.02, n = 34). Relapse rates did not vary by COS protocol. Among COS-ET cycles that achieved pregnancy (n = 43), ARR decreased from 0.26 to 0.09 (p = 0.04) within the first trimester of pregnancy. There were no relapses 3 months after ET alone and 1 relapse after OI.

DISCUSSION

In this modern multicenter cohort of patients with MS undergoing diverse FTs, which included 43% on DMTs, we did not observe an elevated relapse risk after FT.

Family planning considerations in people with multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is often diagnosed in patients who are planning on having children. Although multiple sclerosis does not negatively influence most pregnancy outcomes, less is known regarding the effects of fetal exposure to novel disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). The withdrawal of some DMTs during pregnancy can modify the natural history of multiple sclerosis, resulting in a substantial risk of pregnancy-related relapse and disability. Drug labels are typically restrictive and favour fetal safety over maternal safety. Emerging data reporting outcomes in neonates exposed to DMTs in utero and through breastfeeding will allow for more careful and individualised treatment decisions. This emerging research is particularly important to guide decision making in women with high disease activity or who are treated with DMTs associated with risk of discontinuation rebound. As increasing data are generated in this field, periodic updates will be required to provide the most up to date guidance on how best to achieve multiple sclerosis stability during pregnancy and post partum, balanced with fetal and newborn safety.

Remote Observational Research for Multiple Sclerosis: A Natural Experiment

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Prospective, deeply phenotyped research cohorts monitoring individuals with chronic neurologic conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), depend on continued participant engagement. The COVID-19 pandemic restricted in-clinic research activities, threatening this longitudinal engagement, but also forced adoption of televideo-enabled care. This offered a natural experiment in which to analyze key dimensions of remote research: (1) comparison of remote vs in-clinic visit costs from multiple perspectives and (2) comparison of the remote with in-clinic measures in cross-sectional and longitudinal disability evaluations.

METHODS

Between March 2020 and December 2021, 207 MS cohort participants underwent hybrid in-clinic and virtual research visits; 96 contributed 100 "matched visits," that is, in-clinic (Neurostatus-Expanded Disability Status Scale [NS-EDSS]) and remote (televideo-enabled EDSS [tele-EDSS]; electronic patient-reported EDSS [ePR-EDSS]) evaluations. Clinical, demographic, and socioeconomic characteristics of participants were collected.

RESULTS

The costs of remote visits were lower than in-clinic visits for research investigators (facilities, personnel, parking, participant compensation) but also for participants (travel, caregiver time) and carbon footprint (p < 0.05 for each). Median cohort EDSS was similar between the 3 modalities (NS-EDSS: 2, tele-EDSS: 1.5, ePR-EDSS: 2, range 0.6.5); the remote evaluations were each noninferior to the NS-EDSS within ±0.5 EDSS point (TOST for noninferiority, p < 0.01 for each). Furthermore, year to year, the % of participants with worsening/stable/improved EDSS scores was similar, whether each annual evaluation used NS-EDSS or whether it switched from NS-EDSS to tele-EDSS.

DISCUSSION

Altogether, the current findings suggest that remote evaluations can reduce the costs of research participation for patients, while providing a reasonable evaluation of disability trajectory longitudinally. This could inform the design of remote research that is more inclusive of diverse participants.

Association of daily physical activity with brain volumes and cervical spinal cord areas in multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Remote activity monitoring has the potential to evaluate real-world, motor function, and disability at home. The relationships of daily physical activity with spinal cord white matter and gray matter (GM) areas, multiple sclerosis (MS) disability and leg function, are unknown.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the association of structural central nervous system pathology with ambulatory disability.

METHODS

Fifty adults with progressive or relapsing MS with motor disability who could walk >2 minutes were assessed using clinician-evaluated, patient-reported outcomes, and quantitative brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures. Fitbit Flex2, worn on the non-dominant wrist, remotely assessed activity over 30 days. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess correlations between physical activity and other disability metrics.

RESULTS

Mean age was 53.3 years and median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was 4.0. Average daily step counts (STEPS) were highly correlated with EDSS and walking measures. Greater STEPS were significantly correlated with greater C2-C3 spinal cord GM areas (ρ = 0.39, p = 0.04), total cord area (TCA; ρ = 0.35, p = 0.04), and cortical GM volume (ρ = 0.32, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

These results provide preliminary evidence that spinal cord GM area is a neuroanatomical substrate associated with STEPS. STEPS could serve as a proxy to alert clinicians and researchers to possible changes in structural nervous system pathology.

Challenges in the Clinical Recognition of Acute Flaccid Myelitis and its Implications

OBJECTIVES

To explore the challenges in diagnosing acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) and evaluate clinical features and treatment paradigms associated with under recognition.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective multicenter study of pediatric patients (≤18 years) who were diagnosed with AFM from 2014 to 2018 using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's case definition.

RESULTS

In 72% of the cases (126 of 175), AFM was not considered in the initial differential diagnosis (n = 108; 61.7%) and/or the patient was not referred for acute care (n = 90; 51.4%) at the initial clinical encounter, and this did not improve over time. Although many features of the presentation were similar in those initially diagnosed with AFM and those who were not; preceding illness, constipation, and reflexes differed significantly between the 2 groups. Patients with a non-AFM initial diagnosis more often required ventilatory support (26.2% vs 12.2%; OR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-1.0; P = .05). These patients received immunomodulatory treatment later (3 days vs 2 days after neurologic symptom onset; 95% CI, -2 to 0; P = .05), particularly intravenous immunoglobulin (5 days vs 2 days; 95% CI, -4 to -2; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed recognition of AFM is concerning because of the risk for respiratory decompensation and need for intensive care monitoring. A non-AFM initial diagnosis was associated with delayed treatment that could have a clinical impact, particularly as new treatment options emerge.

Improving the Automatic Classification of Brain MRI Acquisition Contrast with Machine Learning

Automated quantification of data acquired as part of an MRI exam requires identification of the specific acquisition of relevance to a particular analysis. This motivates the development of methods capable of reliably classifying MRI acquisitions according to their nominal contrast type, e.g., T1 weighted, T1 post-contrast, T2 weighted, T2-weighted FLAIR, proton-density weighted. Prior studies have investigated using imaging-based methods and DICOM metadata-based methods with success on cohorts of patients acquired as part of a clinical trial. This study compares the performance of these methods on heterogeneous clinical datasets acquired with many different scanners from many institutions. RF and CNN models were trained on metadata and pixel data, respectively. A combined RF model incorporated CNN logits from the pixel-based model together with metadata. Four cohorts were used for model development and evaluation: MS research (n = 11,106 series), MS clinical (n = 3244 series), glioma research (n = 612 series, test/validation only), and ADNI PTSD (n = 477 series, training only). Together, these cohorts represent a broad range of acquisition contexts (scanners, sequences, institutions) and subject pathologies. Pixel-based CNN and combined models achieved accuracies between 97 and 98% on the clinical MS cohort. Validation/test accuracies with the glioma cohort were 99.7% (metadata only) and 98.4 (CNN). Accurate and generalizable classification of MRI acquisition contrast types was demonstrated. Such methods are important for enabling automated data selection in high-throughput and big-data image analysis applications.

Longitudinal adaptive immune responses following sequential SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in MS patients on anti-CD20 therapies and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulators

BACKGROUND

Adequate response to the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine represents an important treatment goal in caring for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Previous data so far have demonstrated lower spike-specific IgG responses following two SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in MS patients treated with sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulators and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) compared to other disease modifying therapies (DMTs). It is unknown whether subsequent vaccinations can augment antibody responses in these patients.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this observational study was to determine the effects of a third SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on antibody and T cell responses in MS patients treated with anti-CD20 mAb or S1P receptor modulators.

METHODS

Vaccine responses in patients treated with anti-CD20 antibodies (ocrelizumab and ofatumumab) or S1P receptor modulators (fingolimod and siponimod) were evaluated before and after third SARS-CoV-2 vaccination as part of an ongoing longitudinal study. Total spike protein and spike receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific IgG responses were measured by Luminex bead-based assay. Spike-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses were measured by activation-induced marker expression.

RESULTS

MS patients and healthy controls were enrolled before and following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. A total of 31 MS patients (n = 10 ofatumumab, n = 13 ocrelizumab, n = 8 S1P) and 10 healthy controls were evaluated through three SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations. Compared to healthy controls, total spike IgG was significantly lower in anti-CD20 mAb-treated patients and spike RBD IgG was significantly lower in anti-CD20 mAb and S1P-treated patients following a third vaccination. While seropositivity was 100% in healthy controls after a third vaccination, total spike IgG and spike RBD IgG seropositivity were lower in ofatumumab (60% and 60%, respectively), ocrelizumab (85% and 46%, respectively), and S1P-treated patients (100% and 75%, respectively). Longer treatment duration, including prior treatment history, appeared to negatively impact antibody responses. Spike-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses were well maintained across all groups following a third vaccination. Finally, immune responses were also compared in patients who were vaccinated prior to or following ofatumumab treatment. Antibody responses were significantly higher in those patients who received their primary SARS-CoV-2 vaccination prior to initiating ofatumumab treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

This study adds to the evolving understanding of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine responses in people with MS treated with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) known to suppress humoral immunity. Our findings provide important information for optimizing vaccine immunity in at-risk MS patient populations.

Nocturnal Hypoventilation as a Respiratory Complication of Acute Flaccid Myelitis

Detailed accounts of long-term respiratory complications among children with acute flaccid myelitis have not been reported systematically. We describe respiratory complications and outcomes in a single-center cohort of 19 children with acute flaccid myelitis. Significantly, 3 of the 19 children had a prolonged course of nocturnal hypoventilation that required intervention.

The Role of Remote Monitoring in Evaluating Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis: A Review

Fatigue is one of the most common multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms. Despite this, monitoring and measuring fatigue (subjective lack of energy)- and fatigability (objectively measurable and quantifiable performance decline)- in people with MS have remained challenging. Traditionally, administration of self-report questionnaires during in-person visits has been used to measure fatigue. However, remote measurement and monitoring of fatigue and fatigability have become feasible in the past decade. Traditional questionnaires can be administered through the web in any setting. The ubiquitous availability of smartphones allows for momentary and frequent measurement of MS fatigue in the ecological home-setting. This approach reduces the recall bias inherent in many traditional questionnaires and demonstrates the fluctuation of fatigue that cannot be captured by standard measures. Wearable devices can assess patients' fatigability and activity levels, often influenced by the severity of subjective fatigue. Remote monitoring of fatigue, fatigability, and activity in real-world situations can facilitate quantifying symptom-severity in clinical and research settings. Combining remote measures of fatigue as well as objective fatigability in a single construct, composite score, may provide a more comprehensive outcome. The more granular data obtained through remote monitoring techniques may also help with the development of interventions aimed at improving fatigue and lowering the burden of this disabling symptom.

Ocrelizumab during pregnancy and lactation: Rationale and design of the MINORE and SOPRANINO studies in women with MS and their infants

BACKGROUND

Most disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) approved for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) are not recommended during pregnancy, and discouraged while breastfeeding. However, discontinuation of some DMTs before pregnancy can leave women vulnerable to MS relapses. Although available data on ocrelizumab suggest no increased risk in terms of pregnancy or neonatal outcomes, it is unknown whether ocrelizumab transfers across the placenta or is absorbed through breastmilk; and if so, whether infant B cell development, immune responses or growth and development are affected. This manuscript describes two studies designed to address these uncertainties.

METHODS/DESIGN

MINORE and SOPRANINO are multicentre open-label studies. MINORE, which addresses placental transfer, will recruit 44 women with MS or clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) exposed to ocrelizumab between 6 months before the last menstrual period (LMP) to the end of the first trimester. It will evaluate pharmacodynamic effects of potential in utero exposure through the proportion of infants with B cell numbers below lower limit of normal (LLN) at week 6 of life (primary endpoint); as well as through vaccine-induced antibody responses (reflecting B cell function) during the first year of life. Placental transfer will be assessed through measurement of ocrelizumab concentrations in paired samples at delivery (maternal blood as well as umbilical cord blood), and infant serum at week 6 of life. SOPRANINO, which evaluates breastmilk transfer, will recruit 20 women with MS or CIS who resume or initiate ocrelizumab treatment while breastfeeding. The effect of potential exposure through breastmilk will be assessed through the proportion of infants with B cell levels below LLN at 30 days after the mother's first post-partum ocrelizumab infusion (co-primary endpoint). Infant exposure via breastmilk will be assessed through ocrelizumab average daily infant dose in breastmilk over 60 days after the same infusion (co-primary endpoint). Vaccine-induced responses will be measured as in MINORE. Both studies will also measure infant growth and development over the first year of life and safety outcomes in both mothers and infants. All analyses will be descriptive, under an estimand framework.

DISCUSSION

Both studies are designed to mimic real-world clinical practice. Treatment decisions for ocrelizumab are independent from study participation; as such, these studies will recruit women who decide, along with their physicians, to continue their pregnancies despite potential in utero exposure (for MINORE); or to breastfeed while under ocrelizumab treatment (for SOPRANINO). MINORE is the first prospective study to measure placental transfer of any DMT in MS, and to perform comprehensive assessments in infants and mothers. Results may inform the optimal contraception period for women treated with ocrelizumab who are planning a pregnancy. Similarly, SOPRANINO is the first prospective study to measure pharmacodynamic effects of ocrelizumab in breastfed infants in addition to pharmacokinetic parameters in breastmilk. SOPRANINO may establish whether breastfeeding is safe for infants whose mothers received treatment with ocrelizumab.

CONCLUSION

By collecting detailed pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety information, MINORE and SOPRANINO will contribute to understanding the risk/benefit of ocrelizumab in pregnant and lactating women with MS.

Making Every Step Count: Minute-by-Minute Characterization of Step Counts Augments Remote Activity Monitoring in People With Multiple Sclerosis

Background

Ambulatory disability is common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Remote monitoring using average daily step count (STEPS) can assess physical activity (activity) and disability in MS. STEPS correlates with conventional metrics such as the expanded disability status scale (Expanded Disability Status Scale; EDSS), Timed-25 Foot walk (T25FW) and timed up and go (TUG). However, while STEPS as a summative measure characterizes the number of steps taken over a day, it does not reflect variability and intensity of activity.

Objectives

Novel analytical methods were developed to describe how individuals spends time in various activity levels (e.g., continuous low versus short bouts of high) and the proportion of time spent at each activity level.

Methods

94 people with MS spanning the range of ambulatory impairment (unaffected to requiring bilateral assistance) were recruited into FITriMS study and asked to wear a Fitbit continuously for 1-year. Parametric distributions were fit to minute-by-minute step data. Adjusted R² values for regressions between distributional fit parameters and STEPS with EDSS, TUG, T25FW and the patient-reported 12-item MS Walking scale (MSWS-12) were calculated over the first 4-weeks, adjusting for sex, age and disease duration.

Results

Distributional fits determined that the best statistically-valid model across all subjects was a 3-compartment Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) that characterizes the step behavior within 3 levels of activity: high, moderate and low. The correlation of GMM parameters for baseline step count measures with clinical assessments was improved when compared with STEPS (adjusted R² values GMM vs. STEPS: TUG: 0.536 vs. 0.419, T25FW: 0.489 vs. 0.402, MSWS-12: 0.383 vs. 0.378, EDSS: 0.557 vs. 0.465). The GMM correlated more strongly (Kruskal-Wallis: p = 0.0001) than STEPS and gave further information not included in STEPS.

Conclusions

Individuals' step distributions follow a 3-compartment GMM that better correlates with clinic-based performance measures compared with STEPS. These data support the existence of high-moderate-low levels of activity. GMM provides an interpretable framework to better understand the association between different levels of activity and clinical metrics and allows further analysis of walking behavior that takes step distribution and proportion of time at three levels of intensity into account.

Risk factors for peripartum depression in women with multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Peripartum depression (PPD) is underexplored in multiple sclerosis (MS).

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate prevalence of and risk factors for PPD in women with MS.

METHODS

Retrospective single-center analysis of women with MS with a live birth. Prevalence of PPD was estimated with logistic regression with generalized estimating equations (GEE). GEE evaluated predictors of PPD (e.g. age, marital status, parity, pre-pregnancy depression/anxiety, antidepressant discontinuation, sleep disturbance, breastfeeding, relapses, gadolinium-enhancing lesions, and disability). Factors significant in univariable analyses were included in multivariable analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 143 live births in 111 women (mean age 33.1 ± 4.7 years). PPD was found in 18/143 pregnancies (12.6%, 95% CI = 7.3-17.8). Factors associated with PPD included older age (OR 1.16, 95% CI = 1.03-1.32 for 1-year increase), primiparity (OR 4.02, CI = 1.14-14.23), pre-pregnancy depression (OR 3.70, CI = 1.27-10.01), sleep disturbance (OR 3.23, CI = 1.17-8.91), and breastfeeding difficulty (OR 3.58, CI = 1.27-10.08). Maternal age (OR 1.17, CI = 1.02-1.34), primiparity (OR 8.10, CI = 1.38-47.40), and pre-pregnancy depression (OR 3.89, CI = 1.04-14.60) remained significant in multivariable analyses. Relapses, MRI activity, and disability were not associated with PPD.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of PPD in MS appeared similar to the general population, but was likely underestimated due to lack of screening. PPD can affect MS self-management and offspring development, and prospective studies are needed.

Peripartum disease activity in moderately and severely disabled women with multiple sclerosis

Background

The effects of pregnancy on multiple sclerosis (MS) inflammatory activity are not well described in women with moderate to severe disabilities.

Objective

To quantify the peripartum annualized relapse rate (ARR) in women with MS with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≥ 3.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of 85 pregnancies in 74 subjects with preconception EDSS ≥ 3. We quantified peripartum ARR and tested for risk factors predictive of peripartum relapses, postpartum brain magnetic resonance imaging activity (new T2 or gadolinium-enhancing lesions), and disability worsening.

Results

There were 74 live births, with a 56% operative delivery rate. In subjects with relapsing-remitting MS, ARR decreased to 0.11 during the third trimester of pregnancy compared to 0.59 in the year preconception and increased to 1.22 in the 3 months postpartum. Women with a higher preconception EDSS had higher odds of postpartum relapses and clinically significant worsening of disability as compared to subjects with a lower EDSS.

Conclusions

Moderately to severely disabled women with MS have a lower risk of relapse during pregnancy as compared to preconception, followed by a marked increase postpartum. Further studies are needed to identify ways to reduce peripartum inflammatory activity and disability progression in women with MS with moderate to severe disability.

A Biomedical Open Knowledge Network Harnesses the Power of AI to Understand Deep Human Biology

Knowledge representation and reasoning (KR&R) has been successfully implemented in many fields to enable computers to solve complex problems with AI methods. However, its application to biomedicine has been lagging in part due to the daunting complexity of molecular and cellular pathways that govern human physiology and pathology. In this article, we describe concrete uses of Scalable PrecisiOn Medicine Knowledge Engine (SPOKE), an open knowledge network that connects curated information from thirty-seven specialized and human-curated databases into a single property graph, with 3 million nodes and 15 million edges to date. Applications discussed in this article include drug discovery, COVID-19 research and chronic disease diagnosis, and management.

A biomedical open knowledge network harnesses the power of AI to understand deep human biology

Knowledge representation and reasoning (KR&R) has been successfully implemented in many fields to enable computers to solve complex problems with AI methods. However, its application to biomedicine has been lagging in part due to the daunting complexity of molecular and cellular pathways that govern human physiology and pathology. In this article we describe concrete uses of SPOKE, an open knowledge network that connects curated information from 37 specialized and human-curated databases into a single property graph, with 3 million nodes and 15 million edges to date. Applications discussed in this article include drug discovery, COVID-19 research and chronic disease diagnosis and management.

Remote Assessments of Hand Function in Neurological Disorders: Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Loss of fine motor skills is observed in many neurological diseases, and remote monitoring assessments can aid in early diagnosis and intervention. Hand function can be regularly assessed to monitor loss of fine motor skills in people with central nervous system disorders; however, there are challenges to in-clinic assessments. Remotely assessing hand function could facilitate monitoring and supporting of early diagnosis and intervention when warranted.

OBJECTIVE

Remote assessments can facilitate the tracking of limitations, aiding in early diagnosis and intervention. This study aims to systematically review existing evidence regarding the remote assessment of hand function in populations with chronic neurological dysfunction.

METHODS

PubMed and MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Embase were searched for studies that reported remote assessment of hand function (ie, outside of traditional in-person clinical settings) in adults with chronic central nervous system disorders. We excluded studies that included participants with orthopedic upper limb dysfunction or used tools for intervention and treatment. We extracted data on the evaluated hand function domains, validity and reliability, feasibility, and stage of development.

RESULTS

In total, 74 studies met the inclusion criteria for Parkinson disease (n=57, 77% studies), stroke (n=9, 12%), multiple sclerosis (n=6, 8%), spinal cord injury (n=1, 1%), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (n=1, 1%). Three assessment modalities were identified: external device (eg, wrist-worn accelerometer), smartphone or tablet, and telerehabilitation. The feasibility and overall participant acceptability were high. The most common hand function domains assessed included finger tapping speed (fine motor control and rigidity), hand tremor (pharmacological and rehabilitation efficacy), and finger dexterity (manipulation of small objects required for daily tasks) and handwriting (coordination). Although validity and reliability data were heterogeneous across studies, statistically significant correlations with traditional in-clinic metrics were most commonly reported for telerehabilitation and smartphone or tablet apps. The most readily implementable assessments were smartphone or tablet-based.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings show that remote assessment of hand function is feasible in neurological disorders. Although varied, the assessments allow clinicians to objectively record performance in multiple hand function domains, improving the reliability of traditional in-clinic assessments. Remote assessments, particularly via telerehabilitation and smartphone- or tablet-based apps that align with in-clinic metrics, facilitate clinic to home transitions, have few barriers to implementation, and prompt remote identification and treatment of hand function impairments.

Persistently reduced humoral and sustained cellular immune response from first to third SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in anti-CD20-treated multiple sclerosis patients

Objective

To examine humoral and cellular response in multiple sclerosis patients on anti-CD20 therapy after third BNT162b2 mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Methods

A prospective longitudinal study design from first throughout third vaccination in Danish and American MS centers. All participants were treated with ocrelizumab. Antibody (Ab) levels were assessed before and after third vaccination using SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant assay (Abbott Laboratories). B- and T-lymphocytes enumeration was done with BD Multitest™6-color TBNK reagent. Spike-specific T-cell responses were measured through PBMC stimulation with spike peptide pools (JPT Peptide Technologies).

Results

We found that 14.0%, 37.7%, and 33.3% were seropositive after first, second and third vaccination.

The median Ab-levels were 74.2 BAU/mL (range: 8.5–2427) after second vaccination, as well as 43.7 BAU/ml (range: 7.8–366.1) and 31.3 BAU/mL (range: 7.9–507.0) before and after third vaccination, respectively.

No difference was found in levels after second and third vaccination (p = 0.1475). Seropositivity dropped to 25.0% of participants before the third vaccination, a relative reduction of 33.3% (p = 0.0020). No difference was found between frequencies of spike reactive CD4⁺and CD8⁺ T-cells after second (0.65 ± 0.08% and 0.95 ± 0.20%, respectively) and third vaccination (0.99 ± 0.22% and 1.3 ± 0.34%, respectively).

Conclusion

In this longitudinal cohort we found no significant increased humoral or cellular response with administration of a third SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination. These findings suggest the need for clinical strategies to include allowance of B cell reconstitution before repeat vaccination and/or provision of pre-exposure prophylactic monoclonal antibodies.

Building a Precision Medicine Delivery Platform for Clinics: The University of California, San Francisco, BRIDGE Experience

Despite an ever-expanding number of analytics with the potential to impact clinical care, the field currently lacks point-of-care technological tools that allow clinicians to efficiently select disease-relevant data about their patients, algorithmically derive clinical indices (eg, risk scores), and view these data in straightforward graphical formats to inform real-time clinical decisions. Thus far, solutions to this problem have relied on either bottom-up approaches that are limited to a single clinic or generic top-down approaches that do not address clinical users’ specific setting-relevant or disease-relevant needs. As a road map for developing similar platforms, we describe our experience with building a custom but institution-wide platform that enables economies of time, cost, and expertise. The BRIDGE platform was designed to be modular and scalable and was customized to data types relevant to given clinical contexts within a major university medical center. The development process occurred by using a series of human-centered design phases with extensive, consistent stakeholder input. This institution-wide approach yielded a unified, carefully regulated, cross-specialty clinical research platform that can be launched during a patient’s electronic health record encounter. The platform pulls clinical data from the electronic health record (Epic; Epic Systems) as well as other clinical and research sources in real time; analyzes the combined data to derive clinical indices; and displays them in simple, clinician-designed visual formats specific to each disorder and clinic. By integrating an application into the clinical workflow and allowing clinicians to access data sources that would otherwise be cumbersome to assemble, view, and manipulate, institution-wide platforms represent an alternative approach to achieving the vision of true personalized medicine.

Standardized Integration of Person-Generated Data Into Routine Clinical Care

Person-generated data (PGD) are a valuable source of information on a person’s health state in daily life and in between clinic visits. To fully extract value from PGD, health care organizations must be able to smoothly integrate data from PGD devices into routine clinical workflows. Ideally, to enhance efficiency and flexibility, such integrations should follow reusable processes that can easily be replicated for multiple devices and data types. Instead, current PGD integrations tend to be one-off efforts entailing high costs to build and maintain custom connections with each device and their proprietary data formats. This viewpoint paper formulates the integration of PGD into clinical systems and workflow as a PGD integration pipeline and reviews the functional components of such a pipeline. A PGD integration pipeline includes PGD acquisition, aggregation, and consumption. Acquisition is the person-facing component that includes both technical (eg, sensors, smartphone apps) and policy components (eg, informed consent). Aggregation pools, standardizes, and structures data into formats that can be used in health care settings such as within electronic health record–based workflows. PGD consumption is wide-ranging, by different solutions in different care settings (inpatient, outpatient, consumer health) for different types of users (clinicians, patients). The adoption of data and metadata standards, such as those from IEEE and Open mHealth, would facilitate aggregation and enable broader consumption. We illustrate the benefits of a standards-based integration pipeline for the illustrative use case of home blood pressure monitoring. A standards-based PGD integration pipeline can flexibly streamline the clinical use of PGD while accommodating the complexity, scale, and rapid evolution of today’s health care systems.