Real-World Data on Infection Risk with B-Cell Depleting Therapy

B-cell depleting therapies are highly effective in relapsing form of multiple sclerosis (MS) but are associated with a higher incidence of infections than standard-efficacy therapies, such as interferons (IFN) and glatiramer acetate (GA). To examine infection risk and its association with MS disease progression, investigators conducted this retrospective cohort study, including 8759 patients on rituximab and 7561 patients on IFN or GA.

Compared with IFN/GA, rituximab was associated with a 2.3-fold increased risk for inpatient-treated infections and a 1.3-fold increased risk for first outpatient-treated infections. Infections were more likely in those with progressive disease, older age, and male sex. Although inpatient infections were less f…