Abstract
Long-term trials have demonstrated the continued efficacy of interferon (IFN) beta
treatment in patients with relapsing–remitting (RR) multiple sclerosis (MS) during
prolonged administration.
The objective of the work was to evaluate the effects of reducing IFN beta administration
frequency and total weekly dose in patients with RR MS who have achieved clinical
and MRI disease activity stabilization during long-term IFN beta-1b treatment. Prospective
1-year follow-up of 27 RR MS patients on long-term 250 μg every other day (standard
dose) IFN beta-1b treatment were randomized either to gradually reduce dose to 30
μg once-a-week IFN beta-1a (13 patients), or to continue on IFN beta-1b standard dose
(14 patients).
We found significant differences in the two group of patients. In the group of patients
continuously treated with IFN beta-1b standard dose, 79% remained relapse free compared
to 23% in the group receiving once-weekly IFN beta-1a (p=0.006). The number of patients without new PD/T2 lesions was higher in the group
of patients continuously treated with IFN beta-1b standard dose (77%) compared to
the once-weekly IFN beta-1a group (23%) (p=0.04). IFN beta is a long-term treatment for MS. The reduction of IFN beta-1b administration
frequency and dose is not advisable even in patients free from clinical and MRI disease
activity for many years.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 20,
2004
Received in revised form:
March 19,
2004
Received:
July 23,
2003
Identification
Copyright
© 2004 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
