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Biomedical subjects

B Giesser

Publications and source records attributed to B Giesser.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Pregnancy outcomes during treatment with interferon beta-1a in patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Although patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are advised to stop interferon (IFN) beta-1a therapy before becoming pregnant, some patients become pregnant while on treatment. METHODS: We examined individual patient data from eight clinical trials with IFNbeta-1a. RESULTS: Of 3,361 women in the studies, 69 pregnancies were reported, of which 41 were patients receiving (or who had stopped receiving within 2 weeks prior to conception) IFNbeta-1a (in utero exposure group), 22 were patients who discontinued IFNbeta-1a treatment more than 2 weeks before conception (previous exposure group), and six were patients receiving placebo. The 41 in utero exposure pregnancies resulted in 20 healthy full-term infants, one healthy premature infant, nine induced abortions, eight spontaneous abortions, one fetal death, and one congenital anomaly (hydrocephalus). One patient was lost to follow-up. The 22 previous exposure pregnancies resulted in 20 full-term healthy infants, one healthy premature infant, and one birth-related congenital anomaly (Erb palsy). CONCLUSIONS: The majority (21/31) of pregnancies that had the potential to go to full term produced healthy infants. The rate of spontaneous abortion was higher, but not significantly so, in the in utero exposure group compared to general population estimates. Until more exposure data become available, patients remain advised to stop IFNbeta therapy before becoming pregnant.

Abnormalities, Drug-Induced↗
PubMed2004

Multiple sclerosis gender issues: clinical practices of women neurologists.

Substantially more women than men develop multiple sclerosis (MS), but information about the effects of MS and gender-specific issues such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, menstruation and hormone use is lacking. A survey study of neurologists' practice patterns was undertaken to elicit information about gender-specific topics and the use of disease-modifying MS therapies (DMT) including the interferons and glatiramer acetate (GA). A total of 147 surveys were returned. Half of respondents require patients to discontinue DMT during pregnancy, while 35% encourage discontinuation. Among those who allow patients to continue therapy, half consider GA to be safer during pregnancy than the interferons. Nearly 86% of respondents do not use DMT in patients who are breastfeeding. Among the 11% who actually prescribe during breastfeeding, most recommend GA. Neurologists generally leave the decision to breastfeed up to patients, and most refer patients to obstetrician/gynaecologists for counselling about contraception or hormone replacement therapy. The survey results described here provide insight into how neurologists manage reproductive health issues among women with MS.

Breast Feeding↗
PubMed1985

Multiple sclerosis. Current concepts in management.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often progressive disease of the central nervous system which can produce visual, sensory, motor, and genitourinary dysfunction. Although there is no cure, many disabling symptoms can be ameliorated. Baclofen is the treatment of choice for spasticity and is usually given in doses of 30 to 80 mg/day, although higher doses may be used. Bladder symptoms in multiple sclerosis generally fall into the categories of failure to store, failure to empty, and mixed types. Most patients can be managed after obtaining a urine culture and sensitivity and post-voiding residual. A variety of anticholinergic agents plus intermittent self-catheterisation is usually the most effective treatment for bladder dysfunction. Prevention of infection is accomplished by urinary acidifiers or low-dose antibiotics. There is no evidence that long term use of corticosteroids has a beneficial effect on the outcome of multiple sclerosis, although they appear to be useful in hastening the recovery time from an acute exacerbation. There are a number of experimental therapeutic agents which are used to modulate the immune response, which may prove to be of use in slowing or arresting the progression of multiple sclerosis.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1984

Field testing of a minimal record of disability in multiple sclerosis: the United States and Canada.

The IFMSS Minimal Record of Disability (MRD) in Multiple Sclerosis was field tested at eight medical centers in the U.S. and Canada. The goals were to conduct a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the MRD. Assessment were completed on 249 patients with definite MS by neurologists and allied health professionals. Effective administration required some study and practice. Refinement of some unclear wording and awkward format will improve ease of administration. The MRD fit well into clinic routines and was accepted by staff and patients. Scoring presented few problems and these were related to overlap among the MRD scales, poor wording, and content not appropriate to MS. Quantitative evaluation of the MRD indicated that Incapacity Status primarily reflects disability in mobility and self-care when used as a composite score. Heterogeneity of content in Incapacity Status suggests that summed scores be used cautiously. Both Incapacity and Environmental Status had high levels of reliability and high correlations with established measures of impairment in MS. Inter-rater agreement of the ISS and ESS were also high. Once some necessary revisions are made, the MRD should be well on its way to achieving the IFMSS goal of developing a brief, reliable, valid, and appropriate instrument acceptable to a wide variety of workers in MS.

Activities of Daily Living↗