Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of 225 patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) or possible MS treated with rituximab who either had reduced the dose to a mean of < 1000 mg yearly and/or discontinued treatment at any time
| Characteristics | n = 225 |
|---|---|
| Age, years, mean (SD) | 38.4 (11.2) |
| Female sex, n (%) | 162 (72.0) |
| MS duration, years, median (IQR) | 5.8 (1.6–11.3) |
| Possible MS, n (%) | 18 (8.0) |
| Baseline EDSS scorea, median (IQR) | 2.0 (1.0–2.5) |
| Number of T2 lesions on baseline MRIa, n (%) | |
| 0 | 2 (0.9) |
| 1–9 | 52 (23.1) |
| 10–20 | 61 (27.1) |
| > 20 | 105 (46.7) |
| CEL(s) on baseline MRI, n (%) | 56 (24.9) |
| Follow-up time total, years, mean (SD) | 6.5 (2.0) |
SD standard deviation, IQR interquartile range, MS multiple sclerosis, EDSS expanded disability status scale, MRI magnetic resonance imaging, CEL(s) contrast enhancing lesion(s)
aBaseline EDSS score and baseline MRI were defined as the examination closest in time within 12 months prior to starting rituximab. For patients lacking an EDSS score or an MRI within this timeframe, the baseline score was obtained from within 3 months after starting rituximab, if available (EDSS score, eight patients; MRI, one patient). Missing data: baseline EDSS, seven patients; number of T2 lesions on baseline MRI, five patients; CELs on baseline MRI, 11 patients