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Contribution of relapses to disability in multiple sclerosis

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Abstract

The impact of relapses on long-term disability in multiple sclerosis remains unclear; however some evidence suggests that relapses play an important role in determining subsequent prognosis. We report on outcome, prognostic factors for recovery and the contribution of relapses to the accumulation of fixed disability in a large series of patients with documented relapses. Two hundred and seventynine relapses in 182 patients were assessed before, during and after relapse by expanded disability status scale and data analysed to assess degree of recovery. Factors affecting outcome were considered including sex, age and site of relapse.

Mean EDSS prior to relapse was 3.73, during relapse 5.18 and post relapse 4.23. Mean interval to post relapse assessment was 127 days post relapse. Mean residual change in EDSS score (pre to post relapse) was 0.50 points. Overall 49.4 % of patients had a residual increase in disability post relapse of at least 0.5 EDSS points and 32.7 % had an increase of at least 1 point. No significant difference was observed in mean residual EDSS for sex, site of relapse or age at relapse or in the proportion of patients with a residual increase in disability of ≥ 1 EDSS point post relapse. 14.4 % of patients had no increase in EDSS score during relapse compared to pre relapse.

These results suggest that acute relapses are commonly associated with an objective worsening of disability in the majority of patients with MS and that recovery is incomplete in approximately half and not influenced by gender, age or site of lesion. Therapies which reduce relapse frequency and/or severity might therefore be expected to slow or prevent worsening of disability if initiated prior to the onset of more permanent damage.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Research Fellow in Neurology, Helen Durham Neuro-inflammatory Centre, Dept. of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK, CF14 4XN

    C. Hirst MB, Bch, MRCP &  G. Ingram MB, ChB, MRCP

  2. Specialist Registrar, Dept. of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK, CF14 4XN

    O. Pearson MB, ChB, MRCP

  3. Consultant Neurologist, Helen Durham Neuro-inflammatory Centre, Dept. of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK, CF14 4XN

    T. Pickersgill MB, ChB, MRCP

  4. Consultant Neurologist, University of Bristol Institute of Clinical Neurosciences, Dept. of Neurology, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, UK, BS16 1LE

    N. Scolding FRCP, PhD

  5. Senior Lecturer and Consultant Neurologist, Helen Durham Neuro-inflammatory Centre, Dept. of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK, CF14 4XN

    N. Robertson MB, BS, MD, FRCP

Authors
  1. C. Hirst MB, Bch, MRCP
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  2. G. Ingram MB, ChB, MRCP
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  3. O. Pearson MB, ChB, MRCP
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  4. T. Pickersgill MB, ChB, MRCP
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  5. N. Scolding FRCP, PhD
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  6. N. Robertson MB, BS, MD, FRCP
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. Robertson MB, BS, MD, FRCP.

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Hirst, C., Ingram, G., Pearson, O. et al. Contribution of relapses to disability in multiple sclerosis. J Neurol 255, 280–287 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-008-0743-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-008-0743-8

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