A 32-year-old woman presents with acute painful monocular visual loss, RAPD, and mild disc hyperemia. MRI shows a periventricular white matter lesion. Which clinical trial established the benefit of IV methylprednisolone in this condition?
- A ONTT (Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial) ✓
- B PRISMS trial
- C CHAMPS trial
- D BENEFIT trial
Correct answer: A. ONTT (Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial)
Explanation
The ONTT (Optic Neuritis Treatment Trial) established that IV methylprednisolone (1g/day x 3 days) hastens visual recovery in acute optic neuritis but does not improve final visual outcome at 1 year compared to oral prednisone or placebo. Importantly, ONTT found that oral prednisone alone (1mg/kg/day) increased the risk of recurrent attacks. The CHAMPS and BENEFIT trials subsequently showed interferon-beta reduces the risk of conversion to clinically definite MS in CIS patients.
Reference: Khurana Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.