Key clinical point: Treatment with rituximab could effectively reduce disability levels and relapse rates in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Major finding: The mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores decreased by 0.29 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16-0.42) after rituximab treatment. Analysis of 3 studies showed a mean reduction in annualized relapse rates (–1.24; 95% CI, –1.04 to –1.44) after rituximab treatment. The overall proportion of adverse effects was 23% (95% CI, 20%-26%).
Study details: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 7 studies including 399 patients with MS treated with rituximab.
Disclosures: No information was available on funding and conflicts of interest.
Citation: Ghajarzadeh M et al. Autoimmun Rev. 2020 Jun 10. doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2020.102585.