Evaluation of clinical parameters during and after treatment of attack in patients with clinically isolated syndrome: comparison of the results with that of multiple sclerosis patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to examine the changes in the measurement of functions during and after pulse methylprednisolone (MP) treatment during a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) attack, using the multiple sclerosis functional composite (MSFC) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and to compare the results with that of MS patients. PATIENTS AND
METHOD: The present study included 44 patients with CIS and 26 patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis (MS), as the control group. All patients were having an acute attack and were treated with 1000-mg intravenous methylprednisolone. The scales were administered before-and after-treatment, and at 30 days after treatment.
RESULTS: A 5-days treatment was adequate in 36.9% of CIS patients and 62.5% of MS patients (p=0.003). A moderate correlation was found between Auditory Consonant Trigram Test (ACT) and paced auditory serial addition test in CIS patients before-treatment. A poor correlation was found between EDSS scores and ACT in CIS patients at all measurement periods. The level of correlation between EDSS and ACT scores was similar in MS patients.
CONCLUSION: Although MS and CIS patients show similar response to corticosteroid treatment and had similar fatigue characteristics, overall cognitive functioning was better in CIS patients.