Disease modifying therapies (DMTs) reduce the frequency of relapses and accumulation of disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). Long-term persistence with treatment is important to optimize treatment benefit. This long-term, cohort study was conducted at the Calgary MS Clinic. All consenting adults with relapsing-remitting MS who started either glatiramer acetate (GA) or interferon-β 1a/1b (IFN-β) between January 1st, 1996 and July 1st, 2011 were included. Follow-up continued to February 1st, 2014. Time-to-discontinuation of the initial and subsequently-prescribed DMTs (switches) was analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival analyses. Group differences were compared using log-rank tests and multivariable Cox regression models. Analysis included 1471 participants; 906 were initially prescribed GA and 565 were initially prescribed IFN-β. Follow-up information was available for 87%; 29 (2%) were lost to follow-up and 160 (11%) moved from Southern Alberta while still using DMT. Median time-to-discontinuation of all injectable DMTs was 11.1 years. Participants with greater disability at treatment initiation, those who started treatment before age 30, and those who started between 2006 and 2011 were more likely to discontinue use of all injectable DMTs. Median time-to-discontinuation of the initial DMT was 8.6 years. Those initially prescribed GA remained on treatment longer. Of 610 participants who discontinued injectable DMT, 331 (54%) started an oral DMT, or a second-line DMT, or resumed injectable DMT after 90 days. Persistence with injectable DMTs was high in this long-term population-based study. Most participants who discontinued injectable DMT did not remain untreated. Further research is required to understand treatment outcomes and outcomes after stopping DMT.

Although multiple sclerosis (MS) affects both women and men, women are more susceptible to MS than men. Accumulating evidence indicates that the incidence and prevalence of MS is increasing, more so in women than in men. Owing to pregnancy, differing hormonal states and distinct social roles, the impact of MS differs between women and men. Since Patricia K Coyle published a review on gender issues in MS, multiple studies have added to the body of knowledge. This update will summarize the current thinking on gender-related issues in MS and we will address incidence and prevalence, hormonal factors, pregnancy and breastfeeding, genetics, course and prognosis, imaging, treatment and psychosocial aspects. Future progression within this field will help elucidate the cause of and define the treatment of MS.

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) is an idiopathic vasculitis confined to the central nervous system. In children with PACNS, small-vessel (SV) involvement is characterized clinically by progressive neurologic symptoms, multifocal lesions on brain imaging, occasional pseudo-tumor presentation, and normal angiogram results in most patients. Small case series of patients with SV PACNS with short follow-up usually reveal favorable outcomes in children treated with immunosuppressive therapy. We report here the cases of 3 children with biopsy-confirmed SV PACNS and long-term follow-up who developed different patterns of neurologic deterioration despite immunosuppressive therapy. One patient had transient ischemic attacks shortly after initiation of corticosteroid treatment. Early ischemic events probably result from residual thrombogenicity or residual inflammation of recently affected vessels, which supports the use of antiplatelet agents and suggests potential benefits of stronger immunosuppressive therapy. In contrast, the other 2 patients had later neurologic deterioration after corticosteroid withdrawal, which suggests failure of initial immunosuppressant treatment and the need for stronger agents, longer treatment duration, or both. All patients responded to long-term treatment with corticosteroids combined with cytotoxic agents. This particular combination is probably indicated in many cases of SV PACNS, including those with neurologic deterioration that occurs during maintenance corticotherapy or after corticosteroid withdrawal. In 1 case, SV PACNS recurred several years after discontinuation of combination therapy. Long-term relapses may reflect intrinsic predispositions to SV PACNS rather than treatment failure. These cases highlight different chronological patterns of neurologic deterioration despite immunosuppressive therapy, which supports the relevance of monitoring clinical, laboratory, and radiologic responses to treatment and of long-term follow-up of patients with SV PACNS.

The Royal College Comprehensive Objective Examination in Neurology provides certification for Canadian neurologists and consists of a written examination and the Observed Structured Clinical Encounter (OSCE). The OSCE portion of the certification involves residents visiting several patient stations where they address case scenarios with an examiner. Unfortunately, residents lack exam preparation time due to demanding work hours. In response to resident needs, we created a novel, virtual preparation OSCE program – “prepOSCE” – and evaluated its efficacy. The prepOSCE program employed a proprietary virtual solution from CTC Communications Corp. Ten virtual sessions accommodated 70 residents totally. Seven Canadian physicians and two co-chairs created case scenarios for the stations. On session day, seven residents arrived in a virtual plenary room for briefing followed by assignment to a station by CTC. Residents then moved virtually through prepOSCE stations a different examiner and case scenario in each. Following their session, residents and evaluators were surveyed to capture experiences. The average program rating was 4.22 out of 5 (n = 36 residents of 70 residents who participated in the program) and 4.35 (n = 17 evaluators). Ninety-two percent of residents agreed or strongly agreed that they would recommend this program to their peers; they would like prepOSCE to continue next year; and the program was relevant and added value to their studies. The positive feedback received from prepOSCE participants indicates there is a need for a program like prepOSCE. This model has potential for expansion and it is hoped that specialties outside of neurology could benefit from a similar program.