Overview of azathioprine treatment in multiple sclerosis.
The efficacy of azathioprine in the treatment of multiple sclerosis was assessed by meta-analysis of the results of all published blind, randomised, controlled trials. 793 patients were enrolled in 5 double-blind and 2 single-blind studies. After 1 year of treatment, the increase in Kurtzke disability status score was no different in treated and control groups, but at 2 years there was a small difference (-0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.43, 0.003) in favour of azathioprine treatment; this difference was sustained, but not increased, after 3 years. The probability of freedom from any relapse during 1, 2, and 3 years' treatment was significantly greater in the azathioprine-treated group (relative odds over 3 years 1.97; 95% Cl 1.27, 3.04), but it is debatable whether the slight clinical benefits of azathioprine outweigh its side-effects.
Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, UK.
P L
PL
Yudkin
G W
GW
Ellison
A
A
Ghezzi
D E
DE
Goodkin
R A
RA
Hughes
K
K
McPherson
J
J
Mertin
C
C
Milanese
D001379:Azathioprine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011336:Probability; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012008:Recurrence
D001379:Azathioprine