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.
Area of Special Interest
Neurosciences (Brain & Spine)
Specialty/Research Institute
Neurosciences
