Clinical impact of intravenous methylprednisolone in attacks of multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
Intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) has been shown to hasten recovery from attacks of multiple sclerosis (MS) without altering the long term evolution of the condition; however, there is little evidence available to suggest which patients are more likely to benefit from IVMP treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To measure clinical change after IVMP treatment and to identify predictors of good outcome.


METHODS
Retrospective open-label study of medical records from 51 patients with clinically isolated syndromes or relapsing-remitting MS treated with IVMP for an acute attack (54 attacks).


RESULTS
A measurable neurological improvement was observed at one month in 44% of these attacks; the only predictor of Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) change at one month was the severity of the attack.


CONCLUSIONS
Attack severity predicts good response to IVMP when measured by means of EDSS.
Unitat de Neuroimmunologia Clínica, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
Carlos
C
Nos
Jaume
J
Sastre-Garriga
Cecília
C
Borràs
Jordi
J
Río
Mar
M
Tintoré
Xavier
X
Montalban
D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D008775:Methylprednisolone