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- Novakova, Lenka, et al.
(author)
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Searching for neurodegeneration in multiple sclerosis at clinical onset: Diagnostic value of biomarkers
- 2018
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In: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203 .- 1932-6203. ; 13:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Neurodegeneration occurs during the early stages of multiple sclerosis. It is an essential, devastating part of the pathophysiology. Tools for measuring the degree of neurodegeneration could improve diagnostics and patient characterization. Objective This study aimed to determine the diagnostic value of biomarkers of degeneration in patients with recent clinical onset of suspected multiple sclerosis, and to evaluate these biomarkers for characterizing disease course. Methods This cross-sectional study included 271 patients with clinical features of suspected multiple sclerosis onset and was the baseline of a prospective study. After diagnostic investigations, the patients were classified into the following disease groups: Patients with clinically isolated syndrome (n = 4) or early relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (early RRMS; n = 93); patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis with disease durations ≥2 years (established RRMS; n = 39); patients without multiple sclerosis, but showing symptoms (symptomatic controls; n = 89); and patients diagnosed with other diseases (n = 46). In addition, we included healthy controls (n = 51) and patients with progressive multiple sclerosis (n = 23). We analyzed six biomarkers of neurodegeneration: Cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chain levels; cerebral spinal fluid glial fibrillary acidic protein; cerebral spinal fluid tau; retinal nerve fiber layer thickness; macula volume; and the brain parenchymal fraction. Results Except for increased cerebral spinal fluid neurofilament light chain levels, median 670 ng/L (IQR 400-2110), we could not find signs of early degeneration in the early disease group with recent clinical onset. However, the intrathecal immunoglobin G production and cerebral spinal fluid neurofilament light chain levels showed diagnostic value. Moreover, elevated levels of cerebral spinal fluid glial fibrillary acidic protein, thin retinal nerve fiber layers, and low brain parenchymal fractions were associated with progressive disease, but not with the other phenotypes. Thin retinal nerve fiber layers and low brain parenchymal fractions, which indicated neurodegeneration, were associated with longer disease duration. Conclusions In clinically suspected multiple sclerosis, intrathecal immunoglobin G production and neurofilament light chain levels had diagnostic value. Therefore, these biomarkers could be included in diagnostic work-ups for multiple sclerosis. We found that the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer and the brain parenchymal fraction were not different between individuals that were healthy, symptomatic, or newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. This finding suggested that neurodegeneration had not reached a significant magnitude in patients with a recent clinical onset of multiple sclerosis.
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| 2. |
- Dahlqvist, S., et al.
(author)
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Variables associated with HbA1c and weight reductions when adding liraglutide to multiple daily insulin injections in persons with type 2 diabetes (MDI Liraglutide trial 3)
- 2018
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In: BMC Open Diabetes Research and Care. - : BMJ. - 2052-4897. ; 6:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective To evaluate variables associated with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and weight reduction when adding liraglutide to persons with type 2 diabetes treated with multiple daily insulin injections (MDI). Research design and methods This was a reanalysis of a previous trial where 124 patients were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter randomized trial carried out over 24 weeks. Predictors for effect on change in HbA1c and weight were analyzed within the treatment group and with concurrent interaction analyses. Correlation analyses for change in HbA1c and weight from baseline to week 24 were made. Results The mean age at baseline was 63.7 years, 64.8% were men, the mean number of insulin injections was 4.4 per day, the mean daily insulin dose was 105 units and the mean HbA1c was 74.5 mmol/mol (9.0%). The mean HbA1c and weight reductions were 12.3 mmol/mol (1.13%; P<0.001) and 3.8 kg (P<0.001) greater in liraglutide than placebo-Treated persons. There was no significant predictor for greater effect on HbA1c that existed in all analyses (univariate, multivariate and interaction analyses against controls). For a greater weight reduction when adding liraglutide, a lower HbA1c level at baseline was a predictor (liraglutide group P=0.002, P=0.020 for liraglutide group vs placebo). During follow-up in the liraglutide group, no significant correlation was found between change in weight and change in HbA1c (r=0.09, P=0.46), whereas a correlation existed between weight and insulin dose reduction (r=0.44, P<0.001). Conclusion Weight reduction becomes greater when adding liraglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with MDI who had a lower HbA1c level compared with those with a higher HbA1c level. There was no correlation between reductions in HbA1c and weight when liraglutide was added, that is, different patient groups responded with HbA1c and weight reductions. Trial registration number EudraCT nr: 2012-001941-42. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.
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