Abstract
This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows: The objective of this review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of plasmapheresis (alone or in combination with other immunomodulating treatment) in patients with relapsing‐remitting or secondary progressive or primary progressive MS. We want to evaluate the principal hypothesis that plasmapheresis, performed during the relapses, can: 1. Improve disability after a relapse; 2. Reduce the number of relapses during the follow‐up; 3. Prevent disability progression on long observation. Moreover, we want to evaluate whether plasmapheresis performed during the progressive course can delay disability progression during the follow‐up of patients with primary of secondary progressive MS. The secondary aims are to evaluate if the effect of the treatment is different according to: 1. The type of course of MS; 2. The duration of the disease prior the beginning of the treatment with plasma exchange.