[Changes in the quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with ocrelizumab]

Area of Science:

• Neuroimmunology
• Clinical Neurology
• Quality of Life Research

Background:

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) encompasses various forms, impacting patients' quality of life (QoL).
• Ocrelizumab is a targeted therapy for MS, but its long-term effects on patient-reported outcomes require ongoing investigation.
• Assessing QoL, depression, and fatigue is crucial for comprehensive MS patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of ocrelizumab on the quality of life (QoL) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).
• To assess changes in QoL, depression, and fatigue over 12 months of ocrelizumab treatment across different MS subtypes.
• To correlate improvements in QoL with reductions in depression and fatigue symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 38 MS patients (PPMS, HAMS, SPMS) receiving ocrelizumab for ≥12 months was studied.
• Quality of life was measured using the SF-36 and MusiQoL questionnaires.
• Depression and fatigue were assessed using the Beck Depression Scale (BDS) and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS).

Main Results:

• Ocrelizumab treatment led to significant improvements in most SF-36 and MusiQoL scales after 6 and 12 months.
• A notable enhancement in both physical and psychological domains of QoL was observed.
• Significant reductions in depression severity were recorded by 6 months, correlating with improved vitality, general health, and social relations.

Conclusions:

• Ocrelizumab therapy demonstrates a significant positive effect on the quality of life for patients with multiple sclerosis.
• The treatment effectively improves physical and psychological well-being and reduces depressive symptoms.
• These findings support ocrelizumab as a valuable therapeutic option for enhancing overall patient outcomes in MS.