[The comparison of the effectiveness of treatment of multiple sclerosis relapse with high doses of methylprednisolone, alpha-24 corticotropin and cyclophosphamide]

Abstract

The effectiveness of treatment was compared in groups of patients with definite multiple sclerosis (MS) given respectively: methylprednisolone, alpha-24 corticotropine and cyclophosphamide combined with corticotropine. Clinical improvement was assessed by means of the expanded disability status scale (EDSS). The significant results were noted in patients treated with methylprednisolon and corticotropine combined with cyclophosphamide (1.5 in EDSS) for the first time, when compared to subsequent treatment. Within the patients in a more advanced stage of the disease, undergoing subsequent treatment, those given corticotropine displayed the best improvement (1.5 in EDSS), but without statistical significance. The authors suggest methylprednisolone or corticotropine combined with cyclophosphamide are the most effective immunosuppressive treatment in the initial phase of MS.