Publication Title
Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2020
Abstract
Background: In patients treated with dimethyl fumarate, absolute lymphocyte count decline typically occurs during the first year and then plateaus; early drops have been associated with the development of severe prolonged lymphopenia.
Objective: We investigated the effect of dimethyl fumarate on absolute lymphocyte counts and CD4+/CD8+ T cells in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with dimethyl fumarate in routine practice.
Methods: Lymphocyte data were collected via medical chart abstraction. Primary endpoint: change from baseline in absolute lymphocyte count and CD4+/CD8+ counts at 6-month intervals following dimethyl fumarate initiation.
Results: Charts of 483 patients were abstracted and 476 patients included in the analysis. Mean baseline absolute lymphocyte count (2.23 × 10
Conclusion: Dimethyl fumarate-associated decline in absolute lymphocyte count in the first 12 months correlated with decline in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and was independent of prior natalizumab. Absolute lymphocyte count monitoring continues to be an effective strategy to identify patients at risk of prolonged lymphopenia.
Clinical Institute
Neurosciences (Brain & Spine)
Specialty/Research Institute
Neurosciences
