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In this study, we aimed to assess the quality of life, fatigue, anxiety, and depression after Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) and to investigate its impact of on separate domains of health status and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Overall, 18 patients with highly active relapsing MS (mean age 36.3 years, 83.3% female) underwent the AHSCT in Vilnius Multiple Sclerosis center, and we prospectively collected Short Form 36, Health Survey Questionnaire, Fatigue Descriptive Scale, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale beforeand Month3, 12, and 24 after AHSCT. The median score of Expanded Disability Status Scale at Month3 after transplant improved in 14 patients (77.8%). A significant improvement in physical functioning, vitality, and pain was found at Month3 after AHSCT (p < 0.05), which was sustained until Month12 and 24. The improvement in fatigue score was found at Month12 after AHSCT, which was sustained until Month24. Decrease in EDSS score had a positive impact on the better HRQoL outcomes, especially physical and social outcomes. Thus, AHSCT improved quality of life and reduced symptoms of fatigue in patients with highly active relapsing MS. The improvement was determined earlier in the domains of QoL than in the fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Less than half of patients with chronic diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), adhere to their prescribed medications. Treatment selection is essential for patient adherence. The aim of this study was to explore the potential factors influencing nonadherence to disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in MS. This prospective, cross-sectional study was performed at the Multiple Sclerosis Center between 2018 and 2021. In total, 85 patients were eligible for final analysis. Forty-one patient (48.2%) with MS were non-adherent to DMT. Male sex, oral administration of drugs, and longer treatment duration were associated with nonadherence. The mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score did not differ between the adherent and non-adherent patients (p > 0.05). Patients with a higher score on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, who were receiving self-injection therapy, had shorter treatment duration, and higher disability, were more likely to be adherent to DMT than those without. To minimize nonadherence in patients with MS, the patient's information processing speed should be considered before DMT initiation, and appropriate treatment options should be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to assess the cognitive dysfunction and physical disability after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT), to explore the potential factors influencing disability regression after AHSCT and to estimate the safety of low-dose immunosuppressive therapy in highly active Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. In single-center prospective study patients who failed to conventional therapies for highly active relapsing MS underwent the AHSCT. The disability was followed up with Expanded Disability Status Scale and cognition with Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis. Twenty four patients [18 (72.0%) female] underwent AHSCT. Two patients of 13 had one relapse during the first year and three patients—during the second year after AHSCT. Disability regression was found in 84.6% of patients. The scores of information processing speed and verbal learning were significantly higher at month 12 after AHSCT. The clinical variable that explained the disability regression at months 6 and 12 after AHSCT was the disability progression over 6 months before AHSCT. No transplant related-deaths were observed. Selective cognitive improvement was found after AHSCT in MS patients. The disability may be temporarily reversible after AHSCT in a significant proportion of highly active RMS patients if AHSCT is well-timed performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]