Treatment With Erythropoietin for Patients With Optic Neuritis: Long-term Follow-up.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objective

Erythropoietin (EPO) is a candidate neuroprotective drug. We assessed its long-term safety and efficacy as an adjunct to methylprednisolone in patients with optic neuritis and focused on conversions to multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods

The TONE trial randomized 108 patients with acute optic neuritis but without previously known MS to either 33,000 IU EPO or placebo in conjunction with 1,000 mg methylprednisolone daily for 3 days. After reaching the primary end point at 6 months, we conducted an open-label follow-up 2 years after randomization.

Results

The follow-up was attended by 83 of 103 initially analyzed patients (81%). There were no previously unreported adverse events. The adjusted treatment difference of peripapillary retinal nerve fibe

SUBMITTER: Kuchlin S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10136679 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature