Patient-reported adverse effects of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone treatment: a prospective web-based multi-center study in multiple sclerosis patients with a relapse

• DOI: 10.1007/s00415-016-8183-3
• Publication Date: 2016-06-07T10:06:58Z
• Authors: Peter Joseph Jongen; Ioanna Stavrakaki; Bernard Voet; Erwin Hoogervorst; Erik van Munster; Wim H. Linssen; Ludovicus G. Sinnige; Wim I. Verhagen; Leo H. Visser; Ruud van der Kruijk; Freek Verheul; Jan Boringa; Marco Heerings; Werner Gladdines; Fredrik Lönnqvist; Pieter Gaillard
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Patient-reported; CORTICOSTEROIDS; Clinical Neurology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; 610; High dose; Side effect; Adverse effect; Methylprednisolone; Online Systems; Multiple sclerosis; EVENTS; 03 medical and health sciences; Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting; 0302 clinical medicine; Surveys and Questionnaires; 616; IMPACT PROFILE MSIP; Activities of Daily Living; Humans; Disabled Persons; Prospective Studies; STEROID-THERAPY; Aged; RISK; OUTCOMES; Original Communication; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; DISABILITY; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; Neurology; TRIAL; Administration, Intravenous; Female; Self Report

In a prospective multi-center observational study, we evaluated the frequency, severity, and impact on activities of daily living (ADL) adverse effects (AEs) high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with relapse. Online self-report questionnaires stating IVMP's most common AEs were completed at baseline, 2nd day treatment, 1 week after treatment. Eighty-five included, 66 baseline questionnaire, 59 least one post-baseline questionnaire. Patients reported average 4 (median) AEs; two (3.4 %) no AE. Most frequent was change taste (61 %), facial flushing sick/stomach pain (53 sleep disturbance (44 appetite (37 agitation (36 behavioral changes %). Of all AEs, 34.3 % severe 37.9 impacted ADL. A 3-day course resulted 5-day 7. All high disease had or more compared 79 those low (p < 0.01). disability, 45 16 disability. Severe central nervous system (CNS)-related occurred times frequently impact, two-and-a-half Therefore, virtually patients, IVMP leads to about three being disability may experience (severe) due higher occurrence CNS-related AEs.