Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DOSE OF INTRAVENOUS METHYLPREDNISOLONE FOR TREATMENT RELAPSES OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND THE SIDE EFFECTS IN IRAQI PATIENTS

*Zainab Ali Abbood, Nawfal Madi Sheaheed and 3Hayder Fadhil Lateef

Abstract

Background: Multiple Sclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system, characterized by recurrent relapses of central nervous system inflammation ranging from mild to severely disabling. Relapses have treated with steroids to reduce inflammation and hasten recovery. However, the commonly used intravenous methylprednisolone in a dose 500mg_1000mg for 5days. Objectives: Assessment of relationship between the dose of intravenous methylprednisolone (500mg) and (1000mg) and side effects for treatment of patients with relapses of multiple sclerosis. Methods: A prospective case controlled study was carried on 40 patients who had multiple sclerosis relapse confirmed by kuratzke expanded disability status scale. Patients were divided into 2 groups first group involved 20 patients treated with (500 mg IV methylprednisolone) for 5 days. The second group involved 20 patients treated with (1000mg IV methylprednisolone) for 5days. Serum random blood sugar, WBC counts before and after 1 and 6 weeks of the study and clinical examination for side effects. Results: The results showed that a non-significant difference WBC counts, while there was a significant increase in Serum random blood sugar level in group 2 after one week of treatment with 1000mg IV methylprednisolone for 5 days in comparison with pretreatment. However, there was a non-significant difference in Serum random blood sugar and WBC counts in group 1 after one week of treatment with 500mg IV methylprednisolone for 5 days in comparison with pretreatment. After six weeks of treatment, there was a non-significant change in Serum random blood sugar and WBC counts for patients in both treated groups compared to pre-treatment. The laboratory assessments and clinical examination show that group 2 had more side effect than group 1. Conclusion: It seems from this short study that methylprednisolone in a dose of 500mg (IV) daily for 5day to patient with multiple sclerosis had fewer side effects than dose of 1000mg (IV) for 5 days.

Keywords: Multiple Sclerosis (MS), methylprednisolone, random blood sugar, WBC.