Abstract
Background Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, demyelinating disorder occurring primarily as two main forms of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) found predominantly in women, and primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) occurring predominantly in men. In this retrospective single-center study, we aimed to explore the effects of anti-cluster of differentiation (CD)20 treatment for both relapsing-remitting and primary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) in a population-based cohort treated at the university hospital. Methodology The diagnostic factors being assessed were forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), age at first relapse, whereas therapeutic factors were age at first disease-modifying therapy (DMT), age at starting anti-CD20, reason to switch to anti-CD20 and the duration of anti-CD20 treatment. Primary outcomes measured were number of relapses and progression in disability as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale, while secondary outcomes measures being assessed number of cerebral lesions on MRI and level of IgG at the beginning and end of the 12-month treatment. Results Treatment with anti-CD20 demonstrated a reduction in number of relapses 12 months after treatment, no change in the progression of disability in RRMS type, but an increase in PPMS type. No change was observed in cerebral MRI lesions at the end of treatment after 12 months. A statistically significant reduction in serum IgG value was observed after 12 months from the start of treatment, where only one out of 26 (3.8%) patients developed hypogammaglobulinemia with IgG less than 6 g/L but none developed hypogammaglobulinemia of less than 5 g/L. Conclusion Anti-CD20 antibodies as disease-modifying therapy can profoundly impact the course and progression of MS in both its forms if utilized at an earlier stage in patients and therefore greatly improve the quality of life in patients living with multiple sclerosis.