title: Baseline clinical status as a predictor of methylprednisolone response in multiple sclerosis relapses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To date, there are no available factors to predict the outcome after multiple sclerosis relapse.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate factors that may be useful for predicting response to methylprednisolone treatment, following a relapse of multiple sclerosis (MS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 48 MS patients enrolled in a double-blind multicenter trial to receive intravenous versus oral high-dose methylprednisolone treatment. Associations were sought between the disability status prior to relapse and the relapse severity, determined by changes in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, as well as the improvements after treatment. We also analyzed the relationships between the number of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gadolinium-enhancing lesions (Gd+) and improvement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A higher EDSS score before relapse was associated with more severe relapses (p = 0.04) and less marked improvement (odds ratio (OR) 1.8; 95% CI (1.2-2.2); p = 0.05) after methylprednisolone treatment. Relapse severity (p = 0.29) and the number of Gd+ lesions at relapse (p = 0.41) were not related with improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinical baseline status prior to MS relapse is a predictor of response to methylprednisolone treatment.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain cramot@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ramo-Tello
authors.affiliation: Hospital Vall Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Mar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tintoré
authors.affiliation: Hospital Vall Hebron, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rovira
authors.affiliation: Hospital Dr Josep Trueta, Girona, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ramió-Torrenta
authors.affiliation: Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brieva
authors.affiliation: Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saiz
authors.affiliation: Hospital de Mataró, Mataró, Spain.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cano
authors.affiliation: Hospital Dr Josep Trueta, Girona, Spain.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.affiliation: Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain.
authors.forename: Jose V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Hervás
authors.affiliation: Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Badalona, Spain.
authors.forename: Laia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grau-López
mesh_terms: D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D008775:Methylprednisolone
keywords: Disability; methylprednisolone; multiple sclerosis; relapse