Relapses in multiple sclerosis: Relationship to disability.

TitleRelapses in multiple sclerosis: Relationship to disability.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsGoodin DS, Reder AT, Bermel RA, Cutter GR, Fox RJ, John GR, Lublin FD, Lucchinetti CF, Miller AE, Pelletier D, Racke MK, Trapp BD, Vartanian T, Waubant E
JournalMult Scler Relat Disord
Volume6
Pagination10-20
Date Published2016 Mar
ISSN2211-0356
KeywordsDisability Evaluation, Humans, Multiple Sclerosis
Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a recurrent inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, which ultimately causes substantial disability in many patients. A key clinical feature of this disease is the occurrence of relapses, consisting of episodes of neurological dysfunction followed by periods of remission. This review considers in detail the importance of the occurrence of relapses to the ultimate course of MS and the impact of relap setreatment (both acutely and prophylactically) on the long-term outcome for individuals. The ultimate goal of therapy in MS is the reduction of long-term disability. Clinical trials in MS, however, typically only extend for a very short time period compared to the time it takes for disability to evolve. Consequently, short-term outcome measures that are associated with, and predict, future disability need to be identified. In this regard, not only are relapses a characteristic feature of MS, they have also been proven to be associated with the occurrence of long-term disability. Moreover, treatments that reduce the number and severity of these attacks improve the long-term prognosis.

DOI10.1016/j.msard.2015.09.002
Alternate JournalMult Scler Relat Disord
PubMed ID27063617