033 Effect of ocrelizumab on upper limb function in patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) in the oratorio study (ENCORE)

Introduction Upper limb (UL) functional impairment is prevalent among PPMS patients and alters quality of life. The nine-hole peg test (9HPT) is a validated quantitative assessment of UL function in MS. Methods 9HPT was administered at baseline and every 12 weeks until study end. The average 9HPT-times from two trials of dominant- and non-dominant-hands were compared; the hand with the lower baseline time was termed ‘better-hand’, and the hand with the higher baseline time was termed ‘worse-hand’. Average dominant- and non-dominant-hand times were combined and termed ‘both-hands’. Analyses included time-to-confirmed progression (CP) in hand function, defined as ≥15%, ≥20% or ≥25% increase in 9HPT-time from baseline, confirmed at 12- and 24 weeks, and change in 9HPT-time from baseline to Week-120. Results Compared with placebo, ocrelizumab reduced the time-to 12- and 24-week-CP of ≥15% increase on 9HPT by 37% (hazard ratio [HR]=0.627; p=0.001) and 39% (HR=0.607; p=0.002) for both-hands, 30% (HR=0.699; p=0.011) and 40% (HR=0.599; p Conclusion Ocrelizumab treatment lowered the risk of progression of upper extremity disability, measured by 9HPT, compared with placebo in PPMS patients.