title: Spasticity in multiple sclerosis and role of glatiramer acetate treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spasticity is one of the most disabling and difficult-to-treat symptoms shown by patients with multiple sclerosis, who often show a suboptimal and unsatisfactory response to classic treatment and new available nonpharmacological alternatives. Due to the progressive nature of this condition, the early management should be essential to improve long-term outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a narrative literature review of the contribution of spasticity to the burden of multiple sclerosis and the potential role of classic disease-modifying drugs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Added to the underlying pathophysiology of spasticity, certain external factors and drugs such as interferon may exacerbate the existing condition, hence their awareness is crucial as part of an effective management of spasticity. Furthermore, the evidence for the effectiveness of glatiramer acetate in preventing spasticity in naïve patients and in those switching from interferon should not be ignored.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This literature review proposes the examination of spasticity and the influence of classic disease-modifying agents on the level of existing condition among the variables to be considered when deciding on therapy for multiple sclerosis in clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca Carretera Madrid-Cartagena s/n, 30120, Murcia, Spain ; Cátedra de Neuroinmunología Clínica y Esclerosis Múltiple, UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia Campus de los Jerónimos, Guadalupe, 30107, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose Eustasio
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Meca-Lallana
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca Carretera Madrid-Cartagena s/n, 30120, Murcia, Spain ; Cátedra de Neuroinmunología Clínica y Esclerosis Múltiple, UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia Campus de los Jerónimos, Guadalupe, 30107, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Rocío
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hernández-Clares
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca Carretera Madrid-Cartagena s/n, 30120, Murcia, Spain ; Cátedra de Neuroinmunología Clínica y Esclerosis Múltiple, UCAM Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia Campus de los Jerónimos, Guadalupe, 30107, Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Carreón-Guarnizo
mesh_terms: D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate
keywords: Clinical effectiveness; glatiramer acetate; multiple sclerosis; muscle spasticity