Lizeth Zertuche-Ortuño, Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición “Salvador Zubirán”, Mexico City, Mexico
Linda Rivera-Sarabia, Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición “Salvador Zubirán”, Mexico City, Mexico
Juan J. García-Ramírez, Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición “Salvador Zubirán”, Mexico City, Mexico
Víctor Hernández-Castillo, Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición “Salvador Zubirán”, Mexico City, Mexico
Irene Treviño-Frenk, Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición “Salvador Zubirán”, Mexico City, Mexico
Objective: Screening studies are recommended to rule out neoplasms and chronic infections before starting disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). To illustrate the importance of screening before DMT initiation and to show, the most frequent findings in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in a developing country. Methods: We analyzed patients admitted to the MS clinic from 2020 to 2023 who underwent screening before the initiation of DMT. All patients were sampled for: quantiFERON for tuberculosis (TB), varicella zoster immunoglobulin G levels, human immunodeficiency virus, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C virus, venereal disease research laboratory, papanicolaou smear, and mammogram in women over 40. Results: We analyzed 103 patients, 74 of whom were women (71.8%), with a mean age of 42.8 ± 15. Pathological findings were detected in 21 (20%) patients: latent TB in 12 (11.6%), cervical human papillomavirus infection in 3 (2.9%), benign thyroid nodule in 2 (1.9%), liver TB in 1 (0.9%), penile squamous carcinoma in 1 (0.9%), thyroid carcinoma in 1 (0.9%), and breast papilloma in 1 (0.9%). Patients who received DMT did not develop any complications. Conclusions: The pathological findings did not influence the final treatment decision. However, screening tests are essential for the early detection and management of chronic conditions. Conducting these tests before initiating DMTs helps identify potential comorbidities or contraindications to immunosuppressive treatments, ensuring safer and more effective patient care.
Keywords: Chronic infections. Multiple sclerosis. Prevention. Screening. Treatment initiation.
