Contributions
Abstract: EP1698
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Symptomatic treatment
Introduction: Over the last decade, clinical experience with nabiximols in managing MS-related spasticity is growing steadily. The efficacy and safety of nabiximols in clinical trials is well established however real life observational studies are still lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate in a real life context the self-reported efficacy and reasons for discontinuation of treatment with nabiximols in patients with MS (PwMS) followed at the Italian MS Society Rehabilitation Centre, Genoa, Italy.
Methods: 224 PwMS were recruited consecutively among those followed for rehabilitative treatment in a five months period from 1 January 2018 to 1 March 2018. PwMS were asked to compile a self-reported questionnaire on: the use of nabiximols (currently or in the past), self-perceived satisfaction and perceived efficacy on five domains (movement control, fatigue, pain, urinary symptoms and other symptoms), side effects, reasons for discontinuation, therapy duration, day dosage.
Results: Out of 224 PwMS, 146 were females, 78 males, mean EDSS 5.9 + 1.8; mean age 58.3 + 11.2; 76 pwMS (33.9% of the total sample) were treated with nabiximols; 37 PwMS (48.7%) were still using it, 39 (51.3%) subjects were discontinuing the drug for different reasons. The 37 subjects that were still assuming nabiximols reported: 81.1% a self-perceived improvement, 13.5% were uncertainty and 5.4% no improvements. Subjects that showed an improvement reported a one-domain improvement in 46.7% of cases, two domains improvement in 30% of cases, three domains in 13.3% of cases and four domains improvement in 10% of cases. Domains that were perceived as more impacted by the drug were: movement control 35.7%; pain 21.4%; fatigue 19.6%; bladder control 12.5%; other symptoms 10.7%. Reasons for discontinuation were: drug not effective for 14 subjects (35.9%); side effects for 25 subjects (64.1%).
Conclusions: This real-world study confirms nabiximols efficacy in the treatment of MS-related symptoms and, therefore, on relevant functional domains such as movement control, fatigue, pain and urinary function. The discontinuation percentage is in line with other studies published in literature showing that it is necessary to improve response-to-drug predictors' algorithms in order to avoid the cost of long term un-effective treatments.
Disclosure: Valeria Bergamaschi, Giovanna Konrad, Mario Alberto Battaglia, Giampaolo Brichetto: nothing to disclose
Abstract: EP1698
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Symptomatic treatment
Introduction: Over the last decade, clinical experience with nabiximols in managing MS-related spasticity is growing steadily. The efficacy and safety of nabiximols in clinical trials is well established however real life observational studies are still lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate in a real life context the self-reported efficacy and reasons for discontinuation of treatment with nabiximols in patients with MS (PwMS) followed at the Italian MS Society Rehabilitation Centre, Genoa, Italy.
Methods: 224 PwMS were recruited consecutively among those followed for rehabilitative treatment in a five months period from 1 January 2018 to 1 March 2018. PwMS were asked to compile a self-reported questionnaire on: the use of nabiximols (currently or in the past), self-perceived satisfaction and perceived efficacy on five domains (movement control, fatigue, pain, urinary symptoms and other symptoms), side effects, reasons for discontinuation, therapy duration, day dosage.
Results: Out of 224 PwMS, 146 were females, 78 males, mean EDSS 5.9 + 1.8; mean age 58.3 + 11.2; 76 pwMS (33.9% of the total sample) were treated with nabiximols; 37 PwMS (48.7%) were still using it, 39 (51.3%) subjects were discontinuing the drug for different reasons. The 37 subjects that were still assuming nabiximols reported: 81.1% a self-perceived improvement, 13.5% were uncertainty and 5.4% no improvements. Subjects that showed an improvement reported a one-domain improvement in 46.7% of cases, two domains improvement in 30% of cases, three domains in 13.3% of cases and four domains improvement in 10% of cases. Domains that were perceived as more impacted by the drug were: movement control 35.7%; pain 21.4%; fatigue 19.6%; bladder control 12.5%; other symptoms 10.7%. Reasons for discontinuation were: drug not effective for 14 subjects (35.9%); side effects for 25 subjects (64.1%).
Conclusions: This real-world study confirms nabiximols efficacy in the treatment of MS-related symptoms and, therefore, on relevant functional domains such as movement control, fatigue, pain and urinary function. The discontinuation percentage is in line with other studies published in literature showing that it is necessary to improve response-to-drug predictors' algorithms in order to avoid the cost of long term un-effective treatments.
Disclosure: Valeria Bergamaschi, Giovanna Konrad, Mario Alberto Battaglia, Giampaolo Brichetto: nothing to disclose