OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of two different high doses of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) for the treatment of relapses in MS. BACKGROUND:IVMP is the treatment of choice for MS relapses, but it is unknown whether its effects are dose related. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, randomized study. Follow-up included serial clinical and MRI recordings at baseline and at 7, 15, 30, and 60 days after the beginning of treatment. Outcome measures were the number of brain and cervical spinal cord MRI contrast-enhancing lesions, and the Expanded Disability Status Scale score. RESULTS: Both treatment regimens improved clinical scores and reduced the number of MRI enhancing lesions during the follow-up period. The higher dose of IVMP was significantly more effective than the lower dose in reducing the number of MRI contrast-enhanced lesions at 30 and 60 days, mainly by decreasing the rate of new lesion formation. CONCLUSIONS: The higher dosage of IVMP has a more powerful and prolonged action in maintaining blood-brain barrier integrity after a clinical relapse.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of two different high doses of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) for the treatment of relapses in MS. BACKGROUND:IVMP is the treatment of choice for MS relapses, but it is unknown whether its effects are dose related. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, randomized study. Follow-up included serial clinical and MRI recordings at baseline and at 7, 15, 30, and 60 days after the beginning of treatment. Outcome measures were the number of brain and cervical spinal cord MRI contrast-enhancing lesions, and the Expanded Disability Status Scale score. RESULTS: Both treatment regimens improved clinical scores and reduced the number of MRI enhancing lesions during the follow-up period. The higher dose of IVMP was significantly more effective than the lower dose in reducing the number of MRI contrast-enhanced lesions at 30 and 60 days, mainly by decreasing the rate of new lesion formation. CONCLUSIONS: The higher dosage of IVMP has a more powerful and prolonged action in maintaining blood-brain barrier integrity after a clinical relapse.
Authors: Jose Avila-Ornelas; Mirla Avila; Milena Stosic; Liliana Robles; Pilar Guillermo Prieto; George J Hutton; Victor M Rivera Journal: Int J MS Care Date: 2011
Authors: Simone Wüst; Denise Tischner; Michael John; Jan P Tuckermann; Christiane Menzfeld; Uwe-Karsten Hanisch; Jens van den Brandt; Fred Lühder; Holger M Reichardt Journal: PLoS One Date: 2009-12-07 Impact factor: 3.240