[Effect of methylprednisolone on the attention in patients with multiple sclerosis].

UNLABELLED

The aim of the study was to examine effects of high doses of intravenous methylprednisolone (MP, 1 g daily, for 5 days) on the sustained attention and attention focusing in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with clinical relapse.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty four relapsing-remitting patients were included. The mean age was 39.4 (20-56) years, mean disease duration and mean Expanded Disability Status Scale scores were 6.6 (0.8-18) years and 4.1 (2.0-6.0), respectively. MS patients underwent psychological testing three times: before and immediately after MP treatment, and 6 months later. The trials: "100-7" and "months of year backwards", The Brickenkamp d2 test, and The Visual Continuous Attention Test (DAUF) were used. Thirty two control subjects (mean age 37.2 years) with ischialgia, not receiving steroids, underwent the same testing procedure two times: at admission and on 6th day of hospitalization.

RESULTS

Before and immediately after MP treatment MS patient obtained significantly worse scores than controls on the DAUF test (significantly decreased number of correct reactions (p<0.05), significantly increased number of incorrect reactions (p<0.05), and significantly increased mean value of reaction times (p<0.05)). There were no significant differences within MS and control subjects on other tests. Therapy with MP did not markedly change an ability to focus attention and keep the concentration over long period of time in MS patients.

CONCLUSIONS

MS subjects show disturbances in the sustained attention. Therapy with MP does not significantly change the sustained attention and attention focusing in MS patients.