Analysis of herpes zoster cases in multiple sclerosis patients treated with disease-modifying drugs: insights from the EudraVigilance database - PubMed
5 hours ago
- #herpes zoster
- #multiple sclerosis
- #disease-modifying drugs
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) and disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) increase the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) infection.
- The EudraVigilance database was analyzed from 2003 to 2024, identifying 2,017 HZ cases linked to MS DMTs.
- Fingolimod, cladribine, and alemtuzumab showed the highest risk (RORs: 4.09, 3.33, 2.27), while glatiramer acetate, interferons, and teriflunomide had the lowest risk.
- HZ complications (e.g., postherpetic neuralgia, optic neuritis) can reduce patients' quality of life.
- The study recommends evaluating HZ risk before DMT use and suggests vaccination for MS patients.