Abstract
The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of immunomodulatory agents (IMAs) (Interferon-Beta, Glatiramer Acetate) in a large cohort of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with disease onset in childhood or adolescence, treated before 16 years of age, after a long-term follow-up. A total of 130 patients were identified, 77 were treated with Avonex, 39 with Rebif/Betaferon, 14 with Copaxone. After a mean (SD) treatment duration of 53.6 ± 27.0, 59.9 ± 39.5 and 74.6 ± 35.5 months, respectively, the relapse rate decreased significantly. The final EDSS score was unchanged with respect to the initial score. Similar results were also observed in subjects who continued a long-term follow-up after they were included in an observational study in 2004, and in subjects who were treated before 12 years of age. The frequency of clinical and laboratory adverse events was similar to that observed in adult patients. To conclude, IMAs were effective and well tolerated in paediatric patients with MS.
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A list of group members of The ITEMS Group is listed in Appendix.
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M. Trojano, MD; I.L. Simone, MD; Elisabetta Di Monte, MD; Dipartimento di Scienze Neurologiche e Psichiatriche, Università di Bari (Bari); R. Ardito, MD, Acquaviva delle Fonti (Bari), S. Stecchi, MD; C. Scandellari MD; Centro Sclerosi Multipla, USL (Bologna), M.G. Marrosu, MD; G. Spinicci MD; Centro Sclerosi Multipla e Clinica Neurologica, Università di Cagliari, (Cagliari); F. Patti, MD; E. D’Amico, MD; U.O. Sclerosi Multipla e Malattie Degenerative del SNC, Università di Catania (Catania), M.P. Amato, MD; E. Portaccio, MD; Dipartimento di Neurologia, Università di Firenze, (Florence); S. Lori,MD; Ospedale Pediatrico Meyer, (Florence); G.F. Costantino MD, Struttura Semplice Sclerosi Multipla, Az. OORR Foggia (Foggia); A. Ghezzi, MD; V. Pilato, MD; M. Zaffaroni, MD; Centro Studi Sclerosi Multipla, Ospedale di Gallarate (Gallarate); A. Bellantonio, MD; R. Fantozzi MD; IRCCS Neuromed (Pozzilli, Isernia); L. Moiola, MD; V. Martinelli, MD; G. Comi, MD; Dipartimento di Neurologia, Istituto Scientifico ed Università, Ospedale S. Raffaele, (Milan); N. Milani, MD; Neuropsichiatria Infantile, Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, (Milan); L. La Mantia, MD; C. Milanese, MD; Centro Sclerosi Multipla, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico C. Besta (Milan); E. Scarpini, MD; M. De Riz, MD; Clinica Neurologica, Università degli Studi di Milano (Milan), P. Sola MD, E. Merelli, MD; A. Guerra, MD; Clinica Neurologica, (Modena); P. Gallo, MD; P. Perini, MD; M. Atzori, MD; Azienda Ospedale, Università degli Studi di Padova, (Padua); R. Bergamaschi, MD; P. Veggiotti, MD; IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico C. Mondino (Pavia); C. Pozzilli, MD; L. Prosperini, MD; Clinica Neurologica, Ospedale S. Andrea, Università di Roma, (Rome); A. Bertolotto, MD; M. Capobianco, MD; S. Malucchi, MD; Centro di Riferimento Regionale Sclerosi Multipla, AOU S. Luigi Gonzaga, Orbassano, (Turin); P. Cavalla, MD, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università di Torino (Turin).
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Ghezzi, A., Amato, M.P., Annovazzi, P. et al. Long-term results of immunomodulatory treatment in children and adolescents with multiple sclerosis: the Italian experience. Neurol Sci 30, 193–199 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-009-0083-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-009-0083-1