Efficacy and safety of rituximab in relapsing and progressive multiple sclerosis: a hospital-based study

Introduction Rituximab is considered as a potential therapeutic option in relapsing-remitting (RRMS) and progressive forms (PMS) of multiple sclerosis (MS). Objective To investigate the effectiveness and safety of rituximab in MS. Patients and methods Observational study of effectiveness (clinical and radiological) and safety of rituximab in RRMS and PMS. Results A total of 90 rituximab-treated patients were collected: 31 RRMS and 59 PMS All patients had an active disease despite standard treatment. The annualized relapse rate (ARR) the year before rituximab was 0.86, 53.3% of patients had gadolinium enhanced lesion, and mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) had increased from 4.2 to 4.9. During treatment, the ARR was reduced an 88.4% ( p