"Blocking
inflammation in the CNS does not just stop relapses, it can improve
fatigue in some people and as shown here can help with bladder function
also..."- UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scores were significantly improved in patients with MS following natalizumab treatment.
- The majority of patients showed improvement or stability in number of incontinence episodes per week and in number of micturitions per day after starting natalizumab.
- Natalizumab may reduce the impact of incontinence on QOL.
HERE'S THE STUDY:
International Journal of MS Care. 2014 Spring;16(1):40-7. doi: 10.7224/1537-2073.2013-003.
The TRUST (EvaluaTion of Bladder Function in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated with Natalizumab) Observational Study
Background: Bladder dysfunction is a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study was designed to evaluate effects of natalizumab on bladder function in patients with relapsing-remitting MS.
Methods: The
TRUST (EvaluaTion of Bladder Function in Relapsing-Remitting MUltiple
Sclerosis Patients Treated with Natalizumab) study was an open-label,
single-arm, two-center study. Natalizumab-naive MS patients with
disabling bladder dysfunction and initiating natalizumab were enrolled
and followed for 6 months. The primary endpoint was change in the
Urogenital Distress Inventory short form (UDI-6) score from baseline.
Change in Incontinence Impact Questionnaire short form (IIQ-7) score
from baseline was a secondary endpoint.
Results: Thirty
patients were enrolled. Mean baseline characteristics were age 49.9
years, Expanded Disability Status Scale score 4.6, number of relapses in
previous year 2.4, UDI-6 score 10.4, and IIQ-7 score 12.3. Mean changes
in UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scores were significantly improved from baseline
beginning at week 4 and up to week 24; mean improvements at 24 weeks
were 4.4 (P < .0001) and 4.9 (P = .0005) points, respectively. At
week 24, 85.7% and 78.6% of patients demonstrated improvements from
baseline in UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scores, respectively.
Conclusions: Incontinence-related quality of life as measured by UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scores improved significantly during natalizumab treatment.
