Multiple Sclerosis Flashcards
Multiple Sclerosis:
- Problem?
- Age of onset
- Sex distribution?
- Which race most affected?
- Autoimmune demyelinating disease of CNS–> focal neurological deficits
- Presents bw 20-40 yoa
- Women 4: Men 1
- Most common and least severe variant in caucasian females
What are some risks that predispose patients to MS (4)?
- Northern climate
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Female (2-3x risk)
- First degree relative (20-40x risk)
What is optic neuritis?
How is it associated with MS (1)?
How does it present (4)?
Inflammation of optic nerve; most common presentation of demyelinating disease from MS
Clinical presentation:
- Afferent pupillary defect
- Blurry vision (dirty dish water)
- Pain with EOM
- Optic disc swelling
How should you work up optic neuritis?
What will you see (2)?
Perform MRI with and without gadolinium (contrast):
- New areas of inflammation/ demyelination will enhance (BBB breakdown)
- Contrast enhancement = lesion LESS THAN 6 wks old
How do we treat acute MS flare like optic neuritis?
Is treatment curative?
Treat with 1 gram IV methyl-prednisone for 3-5 days
This will SPEED UP recovery, but will not CURE lesion–patients with and without treatment will be the same at 3 mos
What is a clinically isolated syndrome?
Should these patients be screened for MS?
Demyelination/ neuro deficit that does not meet McDonald Criteria for MS–may be paraviral syndrome, etc.
**Should still screen for MS because 20% risk of developing disease
Give 4 examples of clinically isolated syndromes in order of frequency:
- Optic Neuritis
- Brain Syndrome
- Spinal Cord Syndrome
- Multifocal/ other
*90% patients will have one of these 4 sx
What should you look for in CSF sample to corroborate dx of MS? (4)
**How commonly does disease manifest in CSF?
- ^ Myelin basic protein
- Oligoclonal banding
- ^ IgG/ Albumin ratio
- ^ IgG synthesis rate
**MOST MS patients have positive CSF findings
Goals of long term MS therapy (3)?
- Reduce relapses
- Reduce new and enlarging lesions on MRI
- Reduce disability
- *Tolerable ADR profile
- *Safe for long term use
What are the two general types of “platform agents” used to treat MS?
What is the relapse rate associated with each method?
- Beta interferon (30-35%)
2. Glatiramer Acetate (35%)
List 4 types of Beta interferon.
What are the ADRs associated with treatment (5) ?
- Avonex (low dose)
- Rebif (high dose)
- Betaseron
- Extava
ADRS:
- HA, malise, myalgia, fever
- ^ liver enzymes ***
What are the ADRs associated with Glatiramer/ Copaxone? (4)
- Injection site reactions (lipoatrophy)
- Chest tightness (w injection)
- Dyspnea
- Flushing
What are 5 issues with the platform therapy that make it difficult to use clinically?
- Injection (compliance)
- Incomplete efficacy
- ADRs
- NEUTRALIZING AB formation to IFN over time (esp with smokers)
Who is most likely to develop neutralizing Abs to beta IFN over time?
SMOKERS!!!!!
List 3 oral drugs to treat MS + their origin:
- Fingolimod (Gilenya): renal transplant drug
- Teriflunomide (Augbagio): RA drug
- Dimethyl fumarate (Tecfidera): MS specific
How does Fingolimod/ Gilenya work?
How does its efficacy compare to low dose IFN?
Why does first dose need to be administered in office/ hospital?
What is the most common ADR?
Sequesters lymphocytes in lymph nodes
- Superior to low dose IFN
- May cause significant bradycardia or HypoTN
- # 1 ADR = HA