Delayed Steroid Treatment Can Be Beneficial in Multiple Sclerosis Patients with Severe Sequelae (P01.201)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical impact of steroid treatment in Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) patients, receiving steroids at least 3 months after the onset of symptoms. BACKGROUND: High dose intravenous methylprednisolone is the most used therapy for relapse of MS patients. Steroids can affect the immune system, reducing the IFN-γ secretion and increasing chemokines expression. It has been showed that a shorter lapse of time between onset of symptoms and treatment is related to a better outcome. Nevertheless, to date no studies have explored the effect of steroids administered in MS patients months after the onset of symptoms. DESIGN/METHODS: We identified 380 patients diagnosed with MS in our Neurology Department between 1st of January 2007 and 31st of December 2011. 22 patients received treatment 3-10 months after the onset of symptoms (group A), while 14 patients after 10 months (group B). EDSS score was calculated at the baseline and 6 months (T1) and 12 months (T2) after treatment. ANOVA for repeated measures with a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparison was performed to assess the differences between timepoint. A logistic regression model was fit, to assess the association between EDSS improvement and lapse of time between onset of symptoms and treatment. RESULTS: In group A we found a significant difference in term of EDSS score between T0 vs T1 (p CONCLUSIONS: Regardless the lapse of time between the onset of symptoms and treatments, steroids are effective in RRMS patients. Further studies are needed to better understand the effect of steroids on the immune system. Disclosure: Dr. Patti has received personal compensations for activities with Bayer Schering, Dompe Biotec, and Merck Serono. Dr. Messina has nothing to disclose. Dr. D9Amico has nothing to disclose. Dr. Caramma has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cappellani has nothing to disclose. Dr. Leone has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chisari has nothing to disclose. Dr. Zappia has nothing to disclose.