Effect of neuraxial anaesthesia or analgesia on postpartum relapse rates in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review
Authors' conclusion
Neuraxial analgesia/anaesthesia does not increase the risk of postpartum relapse in MS parturients in the year following delivery. The risk of postpartum relapse is related to symptom exacerbation during the year before pregnancy or during pregnancy.
Study context
- Population
- Parturients with multiple sclerosis (MS) (caesarean section or vaginal delivery)
- Participants
- 1,315 participants · 8 studies
- Comparison
- Neuraxial anaesthesia/analgesia vs none
- Outcome
- Incidence of MS relapses
- Follow-up
- Up to 1 year after childbirth
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Postpartum relapses
- No statistically significant difference in incidence of postpartum relapses between neuraxial and no neuraxial (P > 0.05)
Further pooled results
Relapse risk factors: relapses during pregnancy or the year preceding pregnancy
- Statistically significant increase in probability of relapse, consistently across most studies (P < 0.05)
Original publication
Effect of neuraxial anaesthesia or analgesia on postpartum relapse rates in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review. Eur J Anaesthesiol. Published 27 February 2025. doi:10.
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