title: Azathioprine and methotrexate in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Evidence for the effectiveness of immunosuppressive agents in MS is scanty. There are few good quality trials; most have methodological limitations, such as a small sample size and short duration. Moreover, there is no consistency in treatment regimes, patient groups or outcome measures and the clinical benefits remain unclear. Although azathioprine appears to reduce the relapse rate in MS patients, its effect on disability progression has not been demonstrated. Methotrexate may alter the course of disease favourably in patients with progressive MS, but the evidence is again sparse.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Neurociencias, Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Regional Universitario Carlos Haya, Málaga, Spain. oscar.fernandez.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Ramón
mesh_terms: D001379:Azathioprine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D001379:Azathioprine; D008727:Methotrexate