5 research outputs found

    A 2-year observational study of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis converting to glatiramer acetate from other disease-modifying therapies: the COPTIMIZE trial

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    Studies suggest that patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who do not benefit from other disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) may benefit from converting to glatiramer acetate (GA). COPTIMIZE was a 24-month observational study designed to assess the disease course of patients converting to GA 20 mg daily from another DMT. Eligible patients had converted to GA and had received prior DMT for 3-6 months, depending on the reasons for conversion. Patients were assessed at baseline and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. In total, 672 patients from 148 centers worldwide were included in the analysis. Change of therapy to GA was prompted primarily by lack of efficacy (53.6 %) or intolerable adverse events (AEs; 44.8 %). Over a 24-month period, 72.7 % of patients were relapse free. Mean annual relapse rate decreased from 0.86 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.81-0.91] before the change to 0.32 (95 % CI 0.26-0.40; p less than 0.0001) at last observation, while the progression of disability was halted, as the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores remained stable. Patients improved significantly (p less than 0.05) on measures of fatigue, quality of life, depression, and cognition; mobility scores remained stable. The results indicate that changing RRMS patients to GA is associated with positive treatment outcomes.Funding Agencies|Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., Petach Tikva, Israel</p

    An open-label, add-on study of pregabalin in patients with partial seizures: A multicenter trial in Greece

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    Introduction: Pregabalin efficacy and safety as an adjunctive treatment for partial seizures was evaluated using an open-label, flexible-dose. Study design: In 98 adults with refractory partial epilepsy taking 1-3 anti-epileptic drugs with >= 2 seizures during an 8-week baseline period. Methods: Pregabalin was increased to 3 per 28 days, respectively. The 50% and 75% responder rates were 41.94% (95% CI: 31.91-51.96) and 30.11% (95% CI: 20.78-39.43), respectively. Nineteen percent of subjects were seizure-free throughout the last 12 weeks. Pregabalin administration resulted in a significant reduction in anxiety (mean reduction in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores of 1.68 units, 95% CI: -2.60 to -0.76). Most patients were much improved or very much improved on Patient Global Impression of Change (53.8%) and Clinical Global Impression of Change (53.8%). The most frequently self-reported adverse events (AEs) were mild or moderate somnolence (20.4%) and dizziness (5.1%) with a low AE discontinuation rate (5.1%). Conclusions: The efficacy and side-effect profile of pregabalin were similar to previous pregabalin double-blind, controlled studies. Additionally, pregabalin, as an add-on treatment for partial epilepsy, exhibits significant anti-anxiety properties. (C) 2011 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
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