Azathioprine and methotrexate in multiple sclerosis

• Published in: Journal of the neurological sciences Vol. 223; no. 1; pp. 29 - 34
• Main Authors: FERNANDEZ, O, FERNANDEZ, V, DE RAMON, E
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier B.V 15.08.2004; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Azathioprine; Azathioprine - pharmacology; Azathioprine - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Clinical Trials as Topic - statistics & numerical data; Disease Progression; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents - pharmacology; Immunosuppressive Agents - therapeutic use; Medical sciences; Methotrexate; Methotrexate - pharmacology; Methotrexate - therapeutic use; Multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis - drug therapy; Multiple Sclerosis - immunology; Multiple Sclerosis - physiopathology; Neurology; Secondary Prevention; Systematic review; Treatment; Treatment Outcome; Systematic review; Multiple sclerosis; Treatment; Azathioprine; Methotrexate; Nervous system diseases; Central nervous system disease; Inflammatory disease
• ISSN: 0022-510X; 1878-5883
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2004.04.016

Evidence for the effectiveness of immunosuppressive agents in MS is scanty. There are few good quality trials; most have methodological limitations, such as a small sample size and short duration. Moreover, there is no consistency in treatment regimes, patient groups or outcome measures and the clinical benefits remain unclear. Although azathioprine appears to reduce the relapse rate in MS patients, its effect on disability progression has not been demonstrated. Methotrexate may alter the course of disease favourably in patients with progressive MS, but the evidence is again sparse.