title: Plasma exchange in chronic progressive multiple sclerosis: a long-term study.
abstract: Plasma exchange (PE) was shown in a previous double-blind randomized controlled study to confer significant additional benefit at 1 year upon patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis (CPMS) treated with immunosuppressive drug therapy (ISDT). Efficacy over an extended term, indications for retreatment, and long-term toxicity are dealt with in this analysis of a larger number of patients. During the past 7 years, 200 patients with CPMS have been treated with PE and low-dose ISDT at this center. Improvement on the Kurtzke Disability Status Scale by one or more steps post-therapy and at 3-year follow-up is significant by comparison with pre-PE disability status. Clinical improvement was maintained in the majority of patients, reaching as far as a 6-year follow-up. Major life-threatening complications attributable to this combined therapy were not observed.
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
authors.forename: B O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Khatri
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: McQuillen
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Harrington
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schmoll
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010951:Plasma Exchange / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents