Abstract
The efficacy of dexamethasone (DX) and methylprednisolone (MP) at high (HD) and low (LD) dose in acute multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses was evaluated by a double-blind trial in 31 patients followed for 1 year. DX and HDMP were similarly efficacious in promoting recovery, while LDMP was ineffective in the short-term outcome and was followed by an early clinical reactivation. The different outcomes seem to be related to different immunomodulating effects, mainly on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IgG synthesis and on peripheral blood and CSF CD4+ lymphocyte subsets.
Publication types
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Clinical Trial
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Comparative Study
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Randomized Controlled Trial
MeSH terms
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Adult
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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Dexamethasone / adverse effects
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Dexamethasone / therapeutic use*
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Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
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Double-Blind Method
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Female
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Humans
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Immunoglobulin G / cerebrospinal fluid
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Leukocyte Count / drug effects
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Long-Term Care
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Male
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Methylprednisolone / adverse effects
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Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use*
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Middle Aged
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Multiple Sclerosis / drug therapy*
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Multiple Sclerosis / immunology
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Neurologic Examination / drug effects
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Recurrence
Substances
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Immunoglobulin G
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Dexamethasone
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Methylprednisolone