Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (aHSCT) — commonly called stem cell therapy — lessens fatigue and improves quality of life in people with highly active relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a small study in Lithuania.
These gains in the physical and social domains of quality of life were linked to a reduction in disability levels for up to two years after transplant in this study. That suggests that clinical improvements from aHSCT may drive boosts in life quality for MS patients.
The findings address a gap in knowledge about patient perspectives on the success of a stem cell transplant beyond clinical measures of MS disease severity, the researchers noted.
Such stem cell therapy is not approved in the U.S. But the procedure is backed by the National MS Society for patients with very aggressive relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) who have responded poorly to other disease-modifying treatments.
A growing body of data suggests that aHSCT is effective for these MS patients, with studies indicating that a stem cell transplant can prevent relapses and disability progression. A review study covering 4,831 MS patients found that in the five years after transplant, 73% of patients were alive and without disability progression. Moreover, 81% were relapse-free.
Aside from these measures of disease progression, however, little is known about the potential effects of aHSCT on quality of life. There also are scant data on fatigue, anxiety, and depression — common MS symptoms that negatively affect quality of life.
Complete story: https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.c...eases-fatigue/
These gains in the physical and social domains of quality of life were linked to a reduction in disability levels for up to two years after transplant in this study. That suggests that clinical improvements from aHSCT may drive boosts in life quality for MS patients.
The findings address a gap in knowledge about patient perspectives on the success of a stem cell transplant beyond clinical measures of MS disease severity, the researchers noted.
Such stem cell therapy is not approved in the U.S. But the procedure is backed by the National MS Society for patients with very aggressive relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) who have responded poorly to other disease-modifying treatments.
A growing body of data suggests that aHSCT is effective for these MS patients, with studies indicating that a stem cell transplant can prevent relapses and disability progression. A review study covering 4,831 MS patients found that in the five years after transplant, 73% of patients were alive and without disability progression. Moreover, 81% were relapse-free.
Aside from these measures of disease progression, however, little is known about the potential effects of aHSCT on quality of life. There also are scant data on fatigue, anxiety, and depression — common MS symptoms that negatively affect quality of life.
Complete story: https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.c...eases-fatigue/