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Liver test abnormalities in multiple sclerosis: Findings from placebo-treated patients

From the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology (H.T., J.O.), and Department of Health Care and Epidemiology (H.T.), Division of Gastroenterology (E.M.Y.), MS/MRI Research Group (Y.Z.), Department of Statistics (J.P.), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; and Sylvia-Lawry Centre for MS Research (S.S.), Munich, Germany.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Helen Tremlett, Faculty of Medicine (Neurology), Room S178, 2211 Wesbrook Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5 Canada; e-mail: tremlett{at}interchange.ubc.ca

The risk of an abnormal liver test in 813 patients with multiple sclerosis or clinically isolated syndrome enrolled in placebo arms of clinical trials was greater than expected for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (relative risk [RR] 3.7; 95% CI: 2.3 to 6.0) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (RR 2.2; 95% CI: 1.3 to 3.6), although not alkaline phosphatase (AP) or total bilirubin, at first presentation. Abnormal test results were associated with higher body mass index (ALT only), male gender (ALT only), and a relapsing-remitting (vs secondary-progressive) course (ALT and AST only).

Additional material related to this article can be found on the Neurology Web site. Go to www.neurology.org and scroll down the Table of Contents to the October 10 issue to find the title link for this article.

Helen Tremlett is funded by a Don Paty Career Development Award from the MS Society of Canada, the Christopher Foundation, and The Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research. This analysis was funded by a grant from the MS Society of Canada.

Disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest.

This manuscript was based on data sets provided by the SLCMSR; however, it reflects only the opinions or views of the author(s). The author(s) have sole responsibility for their work.

Received January 12, 2006. Accepted in final form June 6, 2006.