Table 1.

Baseline characteristics.

Baseline characteristics (n = 89)
Age (mean, SD)	40.5 ± 12.3 years
Sex (n, %)	n = 31 (34.8%); male
	n = 58 (65.2%); female
Disease duration (mean, SD)	7.9 ± 6.2 years
Type of MS (n, %)	n = 59 (66.3%); RRMS
	n = 30 (33.7%); progressive MS
Time since onset of PMS (mean, SD)	3.0 ± 2.1 years
Baseline EDSS score (mean, SD, range)	2.25 ± 1.2 (0–6.5)
Number of relapses in previous two years (mean, SD, range)	1.6 ± 1.6 (0–8)
Time between last relapse and RTX initiation (median, range)	3 months (0–20)
Median number of RTX infusions (range)	4 infusions (2–22)
Proportion of patients with 2000 mg initial loading dose (n)	76.4% (n = 68)
Baseline MRI findings (%, n)	28% (n = 24); stable
	36% (n = 31); new T2 nonenhancing lesions
	36% (n = 31); enhancing lesions
Proportion of patients with prior DMT use (%, n)	11.2% (n = 10); treatment naïve
	34.8% (n = 31); one previous DMT
	30.3% (n = 27); 2 previous DMTs
	11.2% (n = 10); 3 previous DMTs
	9.0% (n = 8); 4 previous DMTs
	1.2% (n = 1); 5 previous DMTs
	2.3% (n = 2); 6 previous DMTs
Last DMT prior to RTX	55.7% (n = 44); IFN
	17.7% (n = 14); fingolimod
	11.4% (n = 9); natalizumab
	5.1% (n = 4); mitoxantrone
	10.1% (n = 8); others (AZA, mycophenolate, methotrexate, teriflunomide, cyclophosphamide)
Reasons for switching to RTX	87.3% (n = 69); inefficacy
	5.1% (n = 4); positive JCV
	2.5% (n = 2); adverse events
	2.5% (n = 2); nonavailability of other DMTs
	2.5% (n = 2); personal decision
RTX treatment duration (mean, SD)	22.2 ± 24.8 months

SD = standard deviation; MS = multiple sclerosis; RRMS = relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis; PMS = progressive multiple sclerosis; EDSS = expanded disability status scale; RTX = rituximab; MRI = magnetic resonance imaging; DMT = disease-modifying therapy; IFN = interferon; AZA = azathioprine; JCV = John Cunningham virus.