Vaccinations and steroids in MS: effects on disease progression and mood.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of vaccinations and steroids on disease progression and mood in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
Twenty-three patients with clinically definite MS were questioned with respect to vaccination history and the cumulative dose of steroids given during their life-time. EDSS scores and MRI scans of the brain were obtained and used to quantify clinical and MRI disease progression. Mood was assessed by using a self-estimated adjective mood scale.


RESULTS
The number of vaccinations showed no effect on disease progression or mood. High cumulative steroid doses were associated with rapid MRI disease progression and the number of supratentorial MRI lesions. The absence of band-like MRI lesions was correlated with rapid clinical and MRI disease progression. Self-estimated mood tended to be worse in patients with chronic-progressive MS compared to those with relapsing-remitting MS.


CONCLUSIONS
Neither clinical nor MRI-documented disease progression nor mood are influenced by the total number of vaccinations whereas high cumulative steroid doses and the absence of band-like MRI lesions indicate rapidly progressive MS. Self-estimated mood tends to be worse in patients with chronic-progressive MS compared to patients with relapsing-remitting MS.
Kollegger
H
H
Clinic for Neurology, University of Vienna, Austria.
Schmied
M
M
Zebenholzer
K
K
Zeiler
K
K
Hittmair
K
K
Mallek
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D013256:Steroids