Fampridine in multiple sclerosis patients with acute phase of cervical transverse myelitis: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial

Background Fampridine is a potassium channel blocker drug used to improve walking ability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We evaluated the effect of fampridine in patients with MS in the acute phase of transverse myelitis. Methods In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 30 patients who had their first episode of cervical myelitis with quadriparesis presentation, with the final diagnosis of MS, were randomly divided into two equal groups. The intervention group received intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) for 7 days plus fampridine. The placebo group received IVMP for 7 days plus placebo. To compare the treatment results, we compared the Barthel index (BI) scores of the groups at the start of the trial and the 21st day after the start of treatment. Results There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the intervention and placebo groups in terms of mean age, sex, and mean admission BI (p> 0.05). Mean (SD) admission BI in placebo and intervention groups was 27.20 (7.341) and 27.87(5.78), respectively (p = 0 .784). The measured mean (SD) BI after treatment was 48.73 (15.54) in the placebo and 64.93 (11.81) in the intervention group (p = 0.003) after 3 weeks. Conclusion Using fampridine plus IVMP in the acute phase of transverse myelitis in MS patients improved the disease's symptoms and increased the daily activity ability of patients.