Chronic progressive multiple sclerosis

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Abstract
Fifty-four patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis [MS] received prednisone plus oral low-dose cyclophosphamide and either true plasmapheresis (PP) or sham PP weekly for 20 wk in a double-blind controlled study. Immunosuppressive drug therapy alone (sham PP group, n = 29) was associated with improvement (.gtoreq. 1 step in Kurtzke Disability Status Scale [DSS]; mean change of 1.5) in 8 and stabilization of MS in 18 patients, with this status sustained in 23 patients at follow-up, 11 mo. after entry. Of 26 patients who received true PP14 improved (.gtoreq. 1 step in DSS; mean change of 2.6), and 11 more were stable, with these changes sustained in 23 of 26 patients at follow-up. These differences, overall, between the PP and sham PP groups were significant at P < 0.007.