Objective: To study if there are different patterns of clinical activity - measured by the annual exacerbation rate (AER) - among relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), “early” secondary multiple sclerosis (SPMS) and “late” SPMS. Methods: A prospective 5-year follow-up study in 80 MS patients has been carried out, calculating the AER and the mean expanded disability status scale (EDSS) change rate (MCR). Results: A significant difference on the AER, among RRMS, early SPMS and late SPMS, has been found. Conclusions: The SPMS has a high clinical inflammatory activity before and during its transformation from a RRMS.
Lublin FD , Reingold SC , The Advisor Committee on Clinical Trials of New Agents in Multiple Sclerosis . Defining the clinical course of multiple sclerosis: results of an international survey . Neurology1996; 46: 907-911 .
2.
Confavreux C , Aimard G , Devic M.Course and prognosis of multiple sclerosis assessed by the computerised data processing of 349 patients . Brain1980; 103: 281-300 .
3.
Minderhoud JM , Van der Hoeven JH , Pnage AJA.Course and prognosis of chronic progressive multiple sclerosis. Results of an epidemiological study . Acta Neurol Scand1988; 78: 10-15 .
4.
Poser CM , Paty DW , Scheinberg L.New diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis: guidelines for research protocols . Ann Neurol1983; 13: 227-231 .
5.
European Study Group on INF b-1b in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis . Placebo-controlled multicentre randomised trial of interferon b-1b in treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis . Lancet1998; 352: 1491-1497 .
6.
Goodking DE , The North American Study Group on Interferon b-1b in Secondary Progressive MS.Interferon beta-1b in secondary progressive MS: clinical and MRI results of a 3-year randomized controlled trial . Neurology2000; 54: 2352-2352 .
7.
The SPECTRIMS Groups . London, UK. SPECTRIMS study (data on file). Presented at the 52nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, EEUU, San Diego, 29 April-6 May 2000.
8.
The IFNB Multiple Sclerosis Group . Interferon beta-1b is effective in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. I: Clinical results of a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial . Neurology1993; 43: 655-661 .
9.
Freedman MS , The PRIMS Study Group , Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. PRIMS 4-year results: evidence of clinical dose effect of interferon beta-1a in relapsing MS . Neurology2000; 54: 2351-2351 .
10.
Hughes RAC , SPECTRIMS Group , London, UK. “Relapsing” vs “non-relapsing” SPMS: different prognosis and responses to interferon therapy in the SPECTRIMS study . Neurology2000; 54(Suppl 3): S38003-S38003 .
11.
Confavreux C , Vukusic M , Moreau T , Adeleine . Relapses and progression of disability in multiple sclerosis . N Engl J Med2000; 343: 1430-1438 .
