Background Fampridine has been approved for improvement in walking capacity (WC) in multiple sclerosis adult patients with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 4–7.

Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of fampridine in WC in MS patients.

Material and methods Data were obtained from reviewing patient clinical records from the neurology department. Patients with MS and EDSS score of 4–7 and treated with fampridine 10 mg/12 h from October 2014 to May 2015 were evaluated in a retrospective study. Parameters measured: timed 25 foot walk test (T25FW), 12 item MS walking scale (MSWS-12) questionnaire at baseline and 15 days after the first dose. Responder patients were those with a decrease in T25FW ≥20% from baseline.

Results 45 patients were included in the study with the following characteristics: age 49.93 (±9.98) years, 68.9% women, 64.4% relapsing remitting MS, 13.3% primary progressive MS, 22.2% secondary progressive MS. EDSS, TW25F and MSWS averages at baseline were 5.55 (±0.92), 20.56 (±11.49) and 53.23 (±4.5), respectively. On day 15, TW25F was 13.29 (average reduction 34%, 71.1% ≥20%) and MSWS-12 was 34.94 (average 15.73 points). Although 13 patients (28.9%) did not show an improvement in TW25F, only 10 patients discontinued treatment, 2 because of intolerance.

In the pivotal clinical trial there was a global average T25FW reduction of 35%. We evaluated the association between response (T25FW) and EDSS (> or <6.5 at baseline) and there were no statistically significant differences.

Conclusion Fampridine produced a clinical hold in time improvement in walking capacity in our population, similar to that shown in the clinical trial.

No conflict of interest.