title: Effectiveness of azathioprine treatment in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: As the effectiveness of continuous azathioprine therapy in multiple sclerosis (MS) is still controversial, we have conducted a prospective trial of the drug (2 mg/kg daily for at least 2 years) in patients with clinically definite MS, ie with remitting, remitting-progressive and progressive MS. At the end of an average 3-year follow-up 65% of the 40 patients with remitting-progressive had the same EDSS score as they had to start with. This was observed mainly in patients with longstanding MS and a high baseline EDSS. Of the 22 patients with a remitting course 77% showed no clinical deterioration and the annual relapse rate declined, although not significantly. In only one case did the remitting disease become remitting-progressive. Azathioprine would seem to have some efficacy in delaying the progression of remitting MS.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Neurologica Ia, Università degli Studi di Firenze.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fratiglioni
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Siracusa
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Amato
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sità
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Amaducci
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D001379:Azathioprine