07-22-2009, 09:09 AM
A 49-year-old woman has multiple sclerosis. The diagnosis is supported by results of spinal fluid analysis, classic findings on magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, and a typical clinical course. Her clinical course began about 10 years ago with episodes of optic neuritis and bladder dysfunction, and more recently she has had problems with her gait. Remission and relapses have characterized her disease, and during relapses she now sometimes has difficulty with ambulation and needs to use a wheelchair. Her friend told her about finding an article on the Internet that stated that intravenous immune globulin is an effective treatment for multiple sclerosis. What should you tell the patient about the use of immune globulin for multiple sclerosis?
A. Intravenous immune globulin can lessen symptoms, but the injections need to be repeated yearly
B. Intravenous immune globulin has no benefit for patients with multiple sclerosis
C. Intravenous immune globulin is beneficial for some patients with multiple sclerosis, but not for patients with remissions and relapses
D. Intravenous immune globulin may decrease both the frequency and the severity of exacerbations in multiple sclerosis
E. Intravenous immune globulin is beneficial for patients with multiple sclerosis, but only when therapy is started at the onset of the disease
A. Intravenous immune globulin can lessen symptoms, but the injections need to be repeated yearly
B. Intravenous immune globulin has no benefit for patients with multiple sclerosis
C. Intravenous immune globulin is beneficial for some patients with multiple sclerosis, but not for patients with remissions and relapses
D. Intravenous immune globulin may decrease both the frequency and the severity of exacerbations in multiple sclerosis
E. Intravenous immune globulin is beneficial for patients with multiple sclerosis, but only when therapy is started at the onset of the disease