Effects of escitalopram on stress-related relapses in women with multiple sclerosis: an open-label, randomized, controlled, one-year follow-up study.

A growing body of evidence supports the association between Stressful Life Events (SLEs) and increased risk for relapse in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In this open-label, randomized, controlled, one-year prospective study we investigated the effects of escitalopram on stress-related relapses in 48 women with relapsing-remitting MS. Patients were randomly assigned either to receive escitalopram 10mg/day (e-group, N=24) or to continue with treatment as usual, as a control group (c-group, N=24).

The impact of stressful life events on risk of relapse in women with multiple sclerosis: a prospective study.

Purpose: The aims of this study were first, to examine the general relation between stressful life events (SLEs) and clinical relapses in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) and second, to investigate the relations of the specific stressor attributes of duration, type, and severity on MS exacerbations.

Methods: Twenty six ambulating women with relapsing-remitting MS were followed-up for a mean of 56.3 weeks.