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Biomedical subjects

V M Rivera

Publications and source records attributed to V M Rivera.

81 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

[The treatment of multiple sclerosis with beta-interferon 1a].

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Preliminary studies (phase III) have shown that treatment with beta-interferon 1a (avonex) is effective in diverse aspects of relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). The present study discusses results of an opened prolonged (phase IV) trial at the Baylor/Methodist International Multiple Sclerosis Center using 6 MIU by intramuscular injection once a week. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical measurements: EDSS and Patient's Subjective Self-Evaluation (PSSE) and magnetic resonance (MR) were utilized every three months in 300 patients studied between 1996-1999. Patients with RRMS (71.8%) and secondarily progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) (28.2%) were included. RESULTS: Global clinical improvement parameter integration was 22.7% and clinical stabilization 39.4%. MR did not show quantitative alterations for either group. Sixteen patients abandoned treatment and 16 (5.3%) had relapses correlated by MR activity; 34.9% remained stable by EDSS and magnetic resonance findings but deteriorated subjectively by PSSE (62% has SPMS). CONCLUSION: This phase IV study indicates that prolonged treatment of RRMS and SPMS with avonex maintains a positive effect in 62.1% of patients.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Neuroimaging in multiple sclerosis].

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis is currently considered to be a destructive disorder, and a certain degree of alteration in immunity is considered to occur in genetically susceptible persons. DEVELOPMENT: Magnetic resonance (MR) has become the basic technique for diagnosis and evaluation of the response to treatment. The key factor in the information obtained form MR images is the water content. There are several technical situations to be taken into account when using MR in multiple sclerosis: phase T1, phase T2, FLAIR, phase T1 with gadolinium, MR with spectroscopy, cerebral parenchymatous fraction and magnetization transfer MR. Apart from magnetic resonance, immunological changes of multiple sclerosis are seen in the CSF in over 50% of the patients with the disorder. Use of evoked potentials, with the important advantage of detecting lesions not visible on MR and asymptomatic lesions, may also be useful for establishment of the diagnosis. CONCLUSION: In this article we describe the use of neuroimaging in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

Autoimmune Diseases↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Pharmacologic treatment of multiple sclerosis].

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is probably caused by many pathological factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic. DEVELOPMENT: When we consider the aetiology of MS, we have to take three basic factors into account: 1. Immunological factors: evidence of involvement of the immune system has been found in plasma, tissues and CSF; 2. Viral factors: epidemiological studies suggest that MS may be a result of contact with environmental factors during childhood or adolescence, and 3. Genetic factors although there is no evidence that MS is inherited directly, there is between 12 and 15 times more involvement of persons from affected families than from the general population. Regarding treatment, since this is a polysymptomatic disorder, the specialist should choose the most suitable drug or intervention in each case, according to the alterations which affect quality of life or the severity of the presenting symptom. Three pharmacological treatments are emphasized: steroids, immunomodulation and immunosuppression. CONCLUSION: In this article we review the aetiology of MS and its pharmacological treatment.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Deciding on treatment in multiple sclerosis].

The modern history of the treatment of multiple sclerosis is reflected during the last years with the advent of controlled clinical trials design to produce measurable outcomes utilizing MRI techniques and statistical analysis. Addressing in this form the use of disease modifying medications: immunomodulation with interferons and glatiramer acetate in the relapsing/remitting type, and combination therapies or immunosuppression in the progressive forms, these studies based on evidence provide to the clinician direction in the process to decide the most appropriate treatment for the individual patient.

Multiple Sclerosis↗