The influence of pregnancy on relapses in multiple sclerosis: a cohort study.
The influence of pregnancy on the relapse rate (number of relapses per person per year) in MS was analysed for 52 women who had a pregnancy during the disease. The relapse rate was lower during the pregnancy-year (9 months of pregnancy and 6 months immediately post partum) than the non-pregnancy time. There was a heterogeneous pattern during the pregnancy-year with a sharp decrease in the relapse rate observed during pregnancy and a slight non-significant increase in the puerperium: both these relapse rates were compared with figures observed in the same group of women during the non-pregnancy time. Pregnancy does not appear to be a period at greater risk for exacerbations but, on the contrary it seems to act, on the whole, as a protective event. These data allow physicians to provide reassuring counselling to women.
Bernardi
S
S
Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Rome, Italy.
Grasso
M G
MG
Bertollini
R
R
Orzi
F
F
Fieschi
C
C
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D012008:Recurrence