Multiple Sclerosis Relapses (multiple + sclerosis_relapse)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Multiple sclerosis relapses: a multivariable analysis of residual disability determinants

ACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2009
M. Vercellino
Background,,, Recovery from multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses is variable. The factors influencing persistence of residual disability (RD) after a relapse are still to be thoroughly elucidated. Aims of study,,, To assess RD after MS relapses and to define the factors associated with persistence of RD. Methods,,, Data were retrospectively collected for all relapses in a population of relapsing,remitting MS patients during 3 years. Relapse severity and RD after 1 year were calculated on Expanded Disability Status Scale basis. A multivariable analysis for factors influencing RD and relapse severity was performed (variables: age, gender, disease duration, oligoclonal bands, relapse severity, monosymptomatic/polysymptomatic relapse, immunomodulating treatment, incomplete recovery at 1 month). Results,,, A total of 174 relapses were assessed. RD after 1 year was observed in 54.5% of the relapses. Higher risk of RD was associated with occurrence of a severe relapse (P = 0.024). Incomplete recovery at 1 month was highly predictive of RD at 1 year (P < 0.0001). Risk of a severe relapse was associated with age , 30 years (P = 0.025) and inversely associated with the use of immunomodulating treatment (P = 0.006). Conclusions,,, Incomplete recovery at 1 month is a predictor of long-term persistence of RD. Higher relapse severity is associated with higher risk of RD. Risk of severe relapses is lower in patients treated with immunomodulating drugs. [source]


Influence of climatic factors in the incidence of multiple sclerosis relapses in a Portuguese population

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 4 2009
A. C. Fonseca
Background and purpose:, Environmental factors are thought to be important in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathophysiology. We aimed to evaluate if there was an association between MS relapses and some climatic factors in a Portuguese population. Methods:, Four year retrospective study analyzing 414 MS relapses in 249 consecutive relapsing,remitting patients. Non-parametric statistics were used to compare the distribution of relapses across months and seasons. Spearman's coefficient was determined to evaluate the correlation between relapses frequency and maximum and minimum atmospheric temperatures, humidity and atmospheric pressure. Results:, The mean number of relapses was not significantly different between months or seasons. No correlation was found between relapse frequency and any climatic factor. Conclusion:, Our series is one of the largest addressing the influence of specific climatic factors on MS relapses. The number of clinical MS relapses seems to be unrelated to climatic factors. [source]


EFNS guideline on treatment of multiple sclerosis relapses: report of an EFNS task force on treatment of multiple sclerosis relapses

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 12 2005
F. Sellebjerg
Relapses, exacerbations or attacks of multiple sclerosis are the dominating feature of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS), but are also observed in patients with secondary progressive MS. High-dose methylprednisolone is the routine therapy for relapses at present, but other treatments are also in current use. The objective of the task force was to review the literature on treatment of MS relapses to provide evidence-based treatment recommendations. Review was carried out on the literature with classification of evidence according to the EFNS guidelines for scientific task forces. Short-term, high-dose methylprednisolone treatment should be considered for the treatment of relapses of MS (level A recommendation). The optimal glucocorticoid treatment regimen, in terms of clinical efficacy and adverse events, remains to be established. A more intense, interdisciplinary rehabilitation programme should be considered as this probably further improves recovery after treatment with methylprednisolone (level B recommendation). Plasma exchange is probably efficacious in a subgroup of patients with severe relapses not responding to methylprednisolone therapy, and should be considered in this patient subgroup (level B recommendation). There is a need for further randomized, controlled trials in order to establish the optimal treatment regimen for relapses of MS. [source]


Magnetic resonance imaging as a surrogate for treatment effect on multiple sclerosis relapses,

ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 3 2009
Douglas L. Arnold MD
No abstract is available for this article. [source]