Assessing Relapse in Multiple Sclerosis Questionnaire: Results of a Pilot Study
Table 4
ARMS Questionnaire Part 2—Treatment and outcomes for current relapse.
Patients completing Part 2 of ARMS Questionnaire ( = 103)
Treatment for current relapse, (%)
Any corticosteroids (IV or oral)
90 (87)
IV corticosteroids
89 (86)
Oral corticosteroids
1 (1)
Oral corticosteroids after IV
23 (22)
ACTH
13 (13)
Total ( = 103)
Corticosteroids ( = 90)
ACTH ( = 13)
value*
Completed prescribed treatment, (%)
100 (97)
87 (97)
13 (100)
Time since treatment completed, days
Mean (SD)
28.2 (9.7)
29.0 (9.8)
22.2 (5.8)
Range
8–90
8–90
14–30
Treatment improved relapse symptoms, (%)
0.756
Got worse
3 (3)
3 (3)
0
No improvement
6 (6)
5 (6)
1 (8)
A little
12 (12)
9 (10)
3 (23)
Somewhat
32 (31)
28 (31)
4 (31)
Very much
34 (33)
31 (34)
3 (23)
Completely resolved
16 (16)
14 (16)
2 (15)
Effect of symptoms on ADL after treatment, (%)
0.228
Not at all
15 (15)
13 (14)
2 (15)
A little
35 (34)
34 (38)
1 (8)
Somewhat
37 (36)
30 (33)
7 (54)
Very much
14 (14)
11 (12)
3 (23)
Severely
2 (2)
2 (2)
0
Effect of treatment on RSH, (%)
0.444
Got worse
3 (3)
3 (3)
0
No improvement
7 (7)
5 (6)
2 (15)
A little
13 (13)
11 (12)
2 (15)
Somewhat
35 (34)
29 (32)
6 (46)
Very much
27 (26)
26 (29)
1 (8)
Returned to baseline
18 (17)
16 (18)
2 (15)
values based on chi-square test comparing corticosteroids and ACTH treatment groups. ACTH: adrenocorticotropic hormone; ADL: activities of daily living; ARMS: Assessing Relapse in Multiple Sclerosis; IV: intravenous; RSH: return to previous state of health; SD: standard deviation.