Early Clinical Predictors of Sustained Disease-Activity-Free Status in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Treated with Glatiramer Acetate and Interferon Beta (PD5.008)

Abstract

Objective: To identify early clinical predictors of sustained DAF status in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) treated with Interferon Beta (IFN) and Glatiramer Acetate (GA). Background The novel concept of sustained disease activity free (DAF) status could be a viable goal of therapy based on clinical and radiological measures, yet applicable to immunomodulators currently in use. Design/Methods: DAF status was defined as absence of gadolinium-enhancing lesions, new/enlarging T2 lesions, confirmed relapses and 3-month confirmed disability progression. We assessed clinical predictors and their potential influence on the proportion of DAF patients receiving IFN and GA therapies in the long term. Categorical predictors based on baseline data were age (≤40 or >40 years), disease duration previous treatment ( 10 years), number of relapses in the previous 12 months (≤1 or ≥2), basal EDSS score (≤3.0 or ≥3.5), and treatment duration (years). Patients subgroups were stratified by baseline demographic and disease characteristics. Results: This is a retrospective, observational study of 245 naive and RRMS patients who received immunomodulators over 10 ( 9.77±3.28) years of follow up. Freedom from clinical and radiological activity was observed in 26 (28.3%) of 92 patients taking IFN and 40 (37%) of 108 taking GA ([OR]0.67, 95% CI 0.36–1.21; p=0.18). After multivariate analysis we found that the only independent predictive factor for DAF status was Conclusions: Both IFN and GA induced DAF status in patients with RRMS, sustained in the long term. Early treatment initiation could be an important predictor of that status. Disclosure: Dr. Rojas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vrech has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rojas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rojas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Carra has nothing to disclose.