Interferon-beta 1B in the treatment of remittent-recurrent multiple sclerosis. The clinical experience of the Valencia group

Introduction. Recombinant beta-1B interferon has been used in our country since the end of 1995 for treatment of remittent-recurrent multiple sclerosis (RRME). At the present time there are still gaps in the effectiveness, side-effects and management of patients on this treatment. Objective. To determine the evolution, side-effects and practical difficulties involved in the management of patients with RRME given interferon beta-1B and prospectively followed up one year after starting treatment. Material and methods. This paper gives a prospective description of 41 treated patients with an average follow-up of 254 days. Results. The patients tolerated and followed their treatment well. Treatment was only withdrawn in two cases. We observed a 40% reduction in the annual incidence of exacerbations (with respect to previous years) and there was improvement on the amplified dysfunction scale of Kurtzke in the patients whose exacerbations were treated with megadoses of steroids. The side-effects were those we expected, apart from an increase in thyroid complications and the appearance of a depressive syndrome. Treatment did not have to be changed because of the side-effects. In two patients with serious side-effects (thyroiditis and a depressive syndrome) the symptoms disappeared when treatment was stopped. Conclusion. The results and side-effects were similar to those published. We had fewer patients who withdrew from the trial. There were no cases of patients not following the prescribed treatment [REV NEUROL 1997; 25: 1876-9].