Do disease modifying drugs affect life expectancy?
The study in brief
This study aimed to find out whether taking one of the beta interferons (Avonex, Betaferon and Rebif) would affect life expectancy by following a large group of people with relapsing remitting MS for up to 18 years.
Researchers examined medical records for almost 6000 people registered with a Canadian or a French MS clinic. People who had died due to any cause as well as deaths considered to have been caused by MS were identified. The researchers matched each person who had died with people who had survived and compared beta interferon exposure for the two groups.
Those who had taken beta interferons for three years or more had a 32% lower risk of all cause deaths and a 29% lower risk of MS-related deaths than those who had not taken beta interferons. Starting one of the beta interferons late (more than five years after onset of MS or later than 40 years old) did not reduce the benefit on life expectancy. The same benefit was also seen for people living in either Canada or France, and for both men and women.
The results suggest that people taking a beta interferon drug for more than three years were more likely to live longer than those who took one for a shorter time or who didn't take one at all. However, even with this large group of people and long follow-up, the researchers acknowledge it is not possible to rule out other factors, such as differences in smoking or other life style factors, which could have influenced life expectancy.
The study in more detail
Background
The beta interferons – Avonex, Betaferon, and Rebif, were the first generation of disease modifying drugs for relapsing remitting MS, introduced in the 1990s and still widely prescribed today. Clinical trials which ran for two years showed them to be moderately effective for relapsing remitting MS. But these relatively short clinical trials can’t tell us what impact taking a beta interferon might have over longer time frames. This study aimed to find out what effect taking one of the beta interferons might have on life expectancy by following a large group of people with relapsing remitting MS for a longer period of time.
How this study was carried out
Researchers looked at medical records for almost 6000 people registered with a Canadian or a French MS clinic. Exposure to beta interferons between 1996 (the first year beta interferons were available in both Canada and France) and 2013 was recorded for each person. Deaths due to any cause were identified. Deaths due to MS where also determined by checking death certificates for a number of contributing causes linked to severe MS, such as pneumonia or kidney infection. The researchers matched each person who had died with people who had survived and compared beta interferon exposure for the two groups.
What was found?
During the study period, there were 742 deaths due to any cause (average age at death 61 years), 489 of which (66%) were considered to be MS-related (average age at death 59 years). During an average of 11, and up to 18 years of follow-up, beta interferons were taken by 32% of the participants for at least 6 months.
Those who had taken beta interferons for three years or more had a 32% lower risk of all cause deaths and a 29% lower risk of MS-related deaths than those who had not taken beta interferons. Starting one of the beta interferons late (more than five years after onset of MS or later than 40 years old) did not reduce the benefit on life expectancy. The same benefit was also seen for people living in either Canada or France, and for both men and women.
What does it mean?
The results suggest that people taking a beta interferon drug for more than three years were more likely to live longer than those who took one for a shorter time or who didn't take one at all.
Other studies have found similar results. Almost all of the people who took part in one of the early beta interferon clinical trials have been monitored in a long term follow-up. At 21 years after the start of the study, 81 deaths were recorded. Those who were randomly assigned to take beta interferon were found to have a 46% lower risk of death. This finding has been interpreted with caution because of the small numbers involved in this study (366 participants); it’s possible that improved life expectancy was due to chance alone.
The current study has the benefit of including nearly 6000 people with relapsing remitting MS, followed for up to 18 years and from two separate geographical regions. However, even with this large group of people and long follow-up, it is not possible to rule out other factors, such as differences in smoking or other life style factors, which could have affected survival.
The researchers would like to use their approach to investigate whether improved life expectancy extends to other, more effective, disease modifying drugs. As some of these drugs have only become available quite recently, it may be some years before sufficient numbers of people have been taking the newer DMDs for a longer time frames to allow us to look at this.
Kingwell E, Leray E, Zhu F, et al.
Multiple sclerosis: effect of beta interferon treatment on survival
Brain 2019; Mar 18.: awz055. [Epub ahead of print]
Summary
Full article
Find out more about the disease modifying drugs
In the UK, there are currently 13 disease modifying drugs approved for use in the NHS for people with relapsing remitting MS. You can read more about the drugs in MS Decisions and our booklet Disease modifying drugs: a guide to treatments for relapsing MS.
Your MS team will tell you if you are eligible for DMDs and if so which ones would be suitable for you and your MS. They will make recommendations based on how active your MS has been, the number of relapses you have had and how these have affected you. When prescribing a DMD, your MS team has to work within NHS eligibility criteria which define the type of MS the drug can be used for.
The decision to start treatment is very personal, but there is increasing evidence that it is important to begin treating relapsing remitting MS early. This means starting DMDs soon after diagnosis. However, later is better than never, so even if you are considering DMDs after having had MS for some time, you could still benefit as the treatments may help prevent further damage from occurring.
It is important to raise the topic of starting treatment soon after diagnosis with your MS team. If it isn’t mentioned in your appointment, it is OK for you to bring it up.
Browse more from the latest research
Carers
van der Hiele K, van Gorp DAM, Heerings MAP, et al.
Caregiver strain among life partners of persons with mild disability due to relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Mar 6;31:5-11. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Neate SL, Taylor KL, Jelinek GA, et al.
Taking active steps: Changes made by partners of people with multiple sclerosis who undertake lifestyle modification.
PLoS One. 2019 Feb 28;14(2):e0212422.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Causes of MS
Mouchet J, Bégaud B.
Hepatitis B vaccination and central demyelination - History, description and observed/expected analyses of 624 cases reported to the French pharmacovigilance over a 20-year period.
Vaccine. 2019 Apr 3;37(15):2142-2148.
abstract
Co-existing conditions
Marrie RA, Garland A, Schaffer SA, et al.
Traditional risk factors may not explain increased incidence of myocardial infarction in MS.
Neurology. 2019 Mar 6. pii: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000007251. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Garcia CR, Jayswal R, Adams V, et al.
Multiple sclerosis outcomes after cancer immunotherapy.
Clin Transl Oncol. 2019 Feb 20. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Disease modifying drugs
Cook S, Leist T, Comi G, et al.
Safety of cladribine tablets in the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis: An integrated analysis.
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Apr;29:157-167.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Buron MD, Chalmer TA, Sellebjerg F, et al.
Comparative effectiveness of teriflunomide and dimethyl fumarate: A nationwide cohort study.
Neurology. 2019 Mar 15. pii: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000007314. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Kalincik T.
Effectiveness of oral multiple sclerosis therapies in clinical context.
Neurology. 2019 Mar 15. pii: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000007300. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Voge NV, Alvarez E.
Monoclonal antibodies in multiple sclerosis: present and future.
Biomedicines. 2019 Mar 14;7(1). pii: E20.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Fox RJ, Cosenza C, Cripps L, et al.
A survey of risk tolerance to multiple sclerosis therapies.
Neurology. 2019 Mar 13. pii: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000007245. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Hua LH, Harris H, Conway D, et al.
Changes in patient-reported outcomes between continuers and discontinuers of disease modifying therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis over age 60.
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Mar 1;30:252-256. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Vollmer BL, Nair KV, Sillau S, et al.
Natalizumab versus fingolimod and dimethyl fumarate in multiple sclerosis treatment.
Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2018 Dec 9;6(2):252-262.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Vermersch P, Martinelli V, Pfleger C, et al.
Benefit-risk assessment of cladribine using multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
Clin Ther. 2019 Feb;41(2):249-260.e18.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Mayer L, Kappos L, Racke MK, et al.
Ocrelizumab infusion experience in patients with relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis: Results from the phase 3 randomized OPERA I, OPERA II, and ORATORIO studies.
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Jan 28;30:236-243. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
MacDonald SC, McElrath TF, Hernández-Díaz S.
Use and safety of disease-modifying therapy in pregnant women with multiple sclerosis.
Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2019 Mar 4. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Wilkie DD, Solari A, Nicholas R.
Initiating disease-modifying treatments in multiple sclerosis: Measuring the decision process using decisional conflict and decisional regret scales.
Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2019 Feb 27;5(1):2055217319833006.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Soleimani B, Murray K, Hunt D.
Established and emerging immunological complications of biological therapeutics in multiple sclerosis.
Drug Saf. 2019 Mar 4. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Turner B, Cree BAC, Kappos L, et al.
Ocrelizumab efficacy in subgroups of patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis.
J Neurol. 2019 Feb 28. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Minden SL, Kinkel RP, Machado HT, et al.
Use and cost of disease-modifying therapies by Sonya Slifka Study participants: has anything really changed since 2000 and 2009?
Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2019 Feb 20;5(1):2055217318820888.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Cuker A, Bass AD, Nadj C, et al.
Immune thrombocytopenia in alemtuzumab-treated MS patients: Incidence, detection, and management.
Mult Scler. 2019 Feb 20:1352458518816612. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Kolcava J, Hulova M, Benesova Y, et al.
The value of anti-JCV antibody index assessment in multiple sclerosis patients treated with natalizumab with respect to demographic, clinical and radiological findings.
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Feb 14;30:187-191. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Baker D, Pryce G, Herrod SS, et al.
Potential mechanisms of action related to the efficacy and safety of cladribine.
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Feb 14;30:176-186. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Harding K, Williams O, Willis M, et al.
Clinical outcomes of escalation vs early intensive disease-modifying therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis.
JAMA Neurol. 2019 Feb 18. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Wynn DR.
Enduring clinical value of Copaxone® (glatiramer acetate) in multiple sclerosis after 20 years of use.
Mult Scler Int. 2019 Jan 15;2019:7151685.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Zecca C, Pavelek Z, Přikrylová K, et al.
Tolerability, treatment satisfaction and quality of life outcomes in stable multiple sclerosis patients switched from injectable therapies to auto injected intramuscular interferon beta 1a: The SFERA study.
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Feb 6;30:104-109. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Boremalm M, Juto A, Axelsson M, et al.
Natalizumab, rituximab and fingolimod as escalation therapy in multiple sclerosis.
Eur J Neurol. 2019 Feb 14. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Dalla Costa G, Martinelli V, Moiola L, et al.
Serum neurofilaments increase at progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy onset in natalizumab-treated multiple sclerosis patients.
Ann Neurol. 2019 Feb 13. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Drugs in development
Diebold M, Derfuss T.
The monoclonal antibody GNbAC1: targeting human endogenous retroviruses in multiple sclerosis.
Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2019 Mar 7;12:1756286419833574.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Gregson A, Thompson K, Tsirka SE, et al.
Emerging small-molecule treatments for multiple sclerosis: focus on B cells.
F1000Res. 2019 Mar 1;8. pii: F1000 Faculty Rev-245.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Hu Y, Nie H, Yu HH, et al.
Efficacy and safety of rituximab for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Autoimmun Rev. 2019 Mar 4. pii: S1568-9972(19)30064-3. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Zhang Y, Salter A, Wallström E, et al.
Evolution of clinical trials in multiple sclerosis.
Ther Adv Neurol Disord. 2019 Feb 21;12:1756286419826547.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Bhargava P, Wicken C, Smith MD, et al.
Trial of intrathecal rituximab in progressive multiple sclerosis patients with evidence of leptomeningeal contrast enhancement.
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Feb 11;30:136-140. [Epub ahead of print]
abstrac
Epidemiology
Harding KE, Wardle M, Carruthers R, et al.
Socioeconomic status and disability progression in multiple sclerosis: A multinational study.
Neurology. 2019 Mar 26;92(13):e1497-e1506.
abstract
Other
Ackermans N, Taylor C, Tam R, et al.
Effect of different doses of gadolinium contrast agent on clinical outcomes in MS.
Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2019 Feb 16;5(1):2055217318823796.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Della Rosa S, Sen F.
Health topics on facebook groups: content analysis of posts in multiple sclerosis communities.
Interact J Med Res. 2019 Feb 11;8(1):e10146.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Other treatments
Akgün K, Essner U, Seydel C, et al.
Daily practice managing resistant multiple sclerosis spasticity with delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol: cannabidiol oromucosal spray: a systematic review of observational studies.
J Cent Nerv Syst Dis. 2019 Mar 11;11:1179573519831997.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Chenard CA, Rubenstein LM, Snetselaar LG, et al.
Nutrient composition comparison between the low saturated fat Swank diet for multiple sclerosis and healthy U.S.-style eating pattern.
Nutrients. 2019 Mar 13;11(3). pii: E616.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Chenard CA, Rubenstein LM, Snetselaar LG, et al.
Nutrient composition comparison between a modified Paleolithic diet for multiple sclerosis and the recommended healthy U.S.-style eating pattern.
Nutrients. 2019 Mar 1;11(3). pii: E537.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Bromley L, Horvath PJ, Bennett SE, et al.
Impact of nutritional intake on function in people with mild-to-moderate multiple sclerosis.
Int J MS Care. 2019 Jan-Feb;21(1):1-9.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Coe S, Cossington J, Collett J, et al.
A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled feasibility trial of flavonoid-rich cocoa for fatigue in people with relapsing and remitting multiple sclerosis.
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2019 Mar 4. pii: jnnp-2018-319496. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Berra E, Bergamaschi R, De Icco R, et al.
The effects of transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation on neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis: clinical and neurophysiological assessment.
Front Hum Neurosci. 2019 Feb 12;13:31.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Stockings E, Campbell G, Hall WD, et al.
Cannabis and cannabinoids for the treatment of people with chronic noncancer pain conditions: a systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled and observational studies.
Pain. 2018 Oct;159(10):1932-1954.
abstract
Paediatric MS
Stephens S, Shams S, Lee J, et al.
Benefits of physical activity for depression and fatigue in multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal analysis.
J Pediatr. 2019 Mar 13. pii: S0022-3476(19)30128-3. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Pregnancy and childbirth
Zuluaga MI, Otero-Romero S, Rovira A, et al.
Menarche, pregnancies, and breastfeeding do not modify long-term prognosis in multiple sclerosis.
Neurology. 2019 Mar 26;92(13):e1507-e1516.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Portaccio E, Amato MP.
Breastfeeding and post-partum relapses in multiple sclerosis patients.
Mult Scler. 2019 Feb 22:1352458519830588. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Prognosis
Schaefer LM, Poettgen J, Fischer A, et al.
Impairment and restrictions in possibly benign multiple sclerosis.
Brain Behav. 2019 Mar 18:e01259. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Beiki O, Frumento P, Bottai M, et al.
Changes in the risk of reaching multiple sclerosis disability milestones in recent decades: a nationwide population-based cohort study in Sweden.
JAMA Neurol. 2019 Mar 18. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
UCSF MS-EPIC Team., Cree BAC, Hollenbach JA, et al.
Silent progression in disease activity-free relapsing multiple sclerosis.
Ann Neurol. 2019 Mar 9. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Crielaard L, Kavaliunas A, Ramanujam R, et al.
Factors associated with and long-term outcome of benign multiple sclerosis: a nationwide cohort study.
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2019 Mar 1. pii: jnnp-2018-319913. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Díaz C, Zarco LA, Rivera DM.
Highly active multiple sclerosis: An update.
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Jan 24;30:215-224. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Zurawski J, Glanz BI, Chua A, et al.
Time between expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores.
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Feb 5;30:98-103. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Jakimovski D, Weinstock-Guttman B, Gandhi S, et al.
Dietary and lifestyle factors in multiple sclerosis progression: results from a 5-year longitudinal MRI study.
J Neurol. 2019 Apr;266(4):866-875.
abstract
Provision of care
Frahm N, Hecker M, Zettl UK.
Multi-drug use among patients with multiple sclerosis: A cross-sectional study of associations to clinicodemographic factors.
Sci Rep. 2019 Mar 6;9(1):3743.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Ponzio M, Tacchino A, Vaccaro C, et al.
Disparity between perceived needs and service provision: a cross-sectional study of Italians with multiple sclerosis.
Neurol Sci. 2019 Feb 27. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Psychological aspects
Bogosian A, Morgan M, Moss-Morris R.
Multiple challenges for people after transitioning to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: a qualitative study.
BMJ Open. 2019 Mar 8;9(3):e026421.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Engels K, Schiffmann I, Weierstall R, et al.
Emotions towards magnetic resonance imaging in people with multiple sclerosis.
Acta Neurol Scand. 2019 Feb 25. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Rehabilitation
Kalron A, Feys P, Dalgas U, et al.
Searching for the "active ingredients" in physical rehabilitation programs across Europe, necessary to improve mobility in people with multiple sclerosis: a multicenter study.
Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2019 Mar 17:1545968319834893. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Ryan JM, Stennett AM, Peacock S, et al.
Associations between activity and participation in adults with multiple sclerosis.
Physiotherapy. 2018 Nov 15. pii: S0031-9406(18)30343-2. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Fling BW, Martini DN, Zeeboer E, et al.
Neuroplasticity of the sensorimotor neural network associated with walking aid training in people with multiple sclerosis.
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Mar 8;31:1-4. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Kinnett-Hopkins D, Motl R.
Preferences for exercise among black individuals with multiple sclerosis.
Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2019 Mar 5;5(1):2055217319834715.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Zhang T, Jambhekar B, Kumar A, et al.
Assessing the effects of post-acute rehabilitation services on health care outcomes for people with multiple sclerosis.
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Mar 5;30:277-283. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Straudi S, Manfredini F, Lamberti N, et al.
Robot-assisted gait training is not superior to intensive overground walking in multiple sclerosis with severe disability (the RAGTIME study): A randomized controlled trial.
Mult Scler. 2019 Mar 4:1352458519833901. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Fakolade A, Finlayson M, Parsons T, et al.
Correlating the Physical Activity Patterns of People with Moderate to Severe Multiple Sclerosis Disability and Their Family Caregivers.
Physiother Can. 2018 Fall;70(4):373-381.
abstract
Kahraman T, Savci S, Ozdogar AT, et al.
Physical, cognitive and psychosocial effects of telerehabilitation-based motor imagery training in people with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled pilot trial.
J Telemed Telecare. 2019 Feb 11:1357633X18822355. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Jeong IC, Liu J, Finkelstein J.
Factors affecting adherence with telerehabilitation in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Stud Health Technol Inform. 2019;257:189-193.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Stem cells
Das J, Sharrack B, Snowden JA.
Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple sclerosis: a review of current literature and future directions for transplant haematologists and oncologists.
Curr Hematol Malig Rep. 2019 Mar 4. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Cohen JA, Baldassari LE, Atkins HL, et al.
Autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation for treatment-refractory relapsing multiple sclerosis: position statement from the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation.
Biol Blood Marrow Transplant. 2019 Feb 19. pii: S1083-8791(19)30139-9. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Symptoms and symptom management
Tomé ALF, Miranda EP, de Bessa Júnior J, et al.
Lower urinary tract symptoms and sexual dysfunction in men with multiple sclerosis.
Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2019 Mar 14;74:e713.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Giazkoulidou A, Messinis L, Nasios G.
Cognitive functions and social cognition in multiple sclerosis: An overview.
Hell J Nucl Med. 2019 Jan-Apr;22 Suppl:102-110.
abstract
Koutsouraki E, Kalatha T, Grosi E, et al.
Cognitive decline in multiple sclerosis patients.
Hell J Nucl Med. 2019 Jan-Apr;22 Suppl:75-81.
abstract
Abboud H, Yu XX, Knusel K, et al.
Movement disorders in early MS and related diseases: A prospective observational study.
Neurol Clin Pract. 2019 Feb;9(1):24-31.
abstract
Santangelo G, Altieri M, Gallo A, et al.
Does cognitive reserve play any role in multiple sclerosis? A meta-analytic study.
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Feb 14;30:265-276. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Rooney S, Moffat F, Wood L, et al.
Effectiveness of fatigue management interventions in reducing severity and impact of fatigue in people with progressive multiple sclerosis: a systematic review.
Int J MS Care. 2019 Jan-Feb;21(1):35-46.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
White EK, Sullivan AB, Drerup M.
Short report: impact of sleep disorders on depression and patient-perceived health-related quality of life in multiple sclerosis.
Int J MS Care. 2019 Jan-Feb;21(1):10-14.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Amato MP, Prestipino E, Bellinvia A.
Identifying risk factors for cognitive issues in multiple sclerosis.
Expert Rev Neurother. 2019 Mar 3:1-15. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Sandroff BM, DeLuca J.
Will behavioral treatments for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis become standards-of-care?
Int J Psychophysiol. 2019 Feb 28. pii: S0167-8760(18)31051-1. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Hughes AJ, Bhattarai JJ, Paul S, et al.
Depressive symptoms and fatigue as predictors of objective-subjective discrepancies in cognitive function in multiple sclerosis.
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Jan 31;30:192-197. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
D'Amico E, Zanghì A, Serra A, et al.
Management of dysphagia in multiple sclerosis: current best practice.
Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Jan;13(1):47-54.
abstract
Simpson S Jr, Taylor KL, Jelinek GA, et al.
Associations of demographic and clinical factors with depression over 2.5-years in an international prospective cohort of people living with MS.
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Feb 11;30:165-175. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Di Stefano G, Maarbjerg S, Truini A.
Trigeminal neuralgia secondary to multiple sclerosis: from the clinical picture to the treatment options.
J Headache Pain. 2019 Feb 19;20(1):20.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Chiaravalloti ND, Moore NB, DeLuca J.
The efficacy of the modified Story Memory Technique in progressive MS.
Mult Scler. 2019 Feb 11:1352458519826463. [Epub ahead of print]
abstract
Vitamin D
Berezowska M, Coe S, Dawes H.
Effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in the management of multiple sclerosis: a systematic review.
Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Mar 14;20(6). pii: E1301.
abstract
Read the full text of this paper
Hawkes C, Giovannoni G, Lechner-Scott J, et al.
Multiple sclerosis and vitamin d - caviar or a dog's dinner?
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Feb;28:A1-A2.
abstract
Zamzam D, Foad M, Swelam M, et al.
Vitamin D and body mass index in Egyptian multiple sclerosis patients.
Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2019 Feb;28:313-316.
abstract
Work
Beier M, Hartoonian N, D'Orio VL, et al.
Relationship of perceived stress and employment status in individuals with multiple sclerosis.
Work. 2019;62(2):243-249.
abstract


Ozanimod (Zeposia) approved for relapsing remitting MS in Scotland
8 Feb 2021 - 00:00
The MS Trust is delighted that ozanimod (Zeposia) has been approved in Scotland for people with active relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.


Exercise is good for your brain
3 Feb 2021 - 00:00
There is more to exercise than physical fitness. This review looks at recent research which shows how exercise has a direct beneficial effect on brain repair processes.


Covid-19 vaccines and MS: Part two
29 Jan 2021 - 00:00
Following our last interview on the subject of the Covid-19 vaccine and people with MS, we received a lot of follow up questions. To answer some of these, we spoke once again to Professor Alasdair Coles, Consultant Neurologist at Addenbrooke’s hospital.

Sign up to our emails
Get the latest news and research sent straight to your inbox. Find out first about the latest developments in MS treatments, plus updates on the work of the MS Trust.