Vaccinations and steroids in MS: effects on disease progression and mood

Objective - To investigate the effects of vaccinations and steroids on dise ase progression and mood in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Material and methods - Twenty-three patients with clinically definite MS were quest ioned with respect to vaccination history and the cumulative dose of steroi ds given during their life-time. EDSS scores and MRI scans of the brain wer e obtained and used to quantify clinical and MRI disease progression. Mood was assessed by using a self-estimated adjective mood scale. Results - The number of vaccinations showed no effect on disease progression or mood. Hig h cumulative steroid doses were associated with rapid MRI disease progressi on and the number of supratentorial MRI lesions. The absence of band-like M RI lesions was correlated with rapid clinical and MRI disease progression. Self-estimated mood tended to be worse in patients with chronic-progressive MS compared to those with relapsing-remitting MS. Conclusion - Neither cli nical nor MRI-documented disease progression nor mood are influenced by the total number of vaccinations whereas high cumulative steroid doses and the absence of band-like MRI lesions indicate rapidly progressive MS. Self-est imated mood tends to be worse in patients with chronic-progressive MS compa red to patients with relapsing-remitting MS.