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.