Azathioprine in treatment of multiple sclerosis. Final results of a 41/2-year controlled study of its effectiveness covering 115 patients

In an open, randomised, controlled follow-up study the effectiveness of continuous azathioprine therapy of multiple sclerosis with a dosage of 2 mg/kg/day was tested against a control group that was not treated with cytostatics. In the treated group the disease progressed less rapidly than in the untreated group. Statistically significant differences were only seen in patients having an intermittent-progressive course. The effect of azathioprine on the course was not dependent on the period or severity of illness nor on the patient's sex. In chronically progressive disease and with an intermittent disease course no influence of azathioprine was observed.