[Skin reactions to interferon alpha in a series of 92 patients with multiple sclerosis].
BACKGROUND
A significant proportion of multiple sclerosis patients develop cutaneous reactions by interferon beta 1b (IFN-beta). The am of this study was to describe clinically and histologically the cutaneous reactions by IFN-beta.


METHODS
A series of 92 patients with multiple sclerosis in treatment with IFN-beta was followed. Cutaneous biopsy was performed in cases with persistent lesions.


RESULTS
9 out of 92 patients presented eritematous plaques, 4 cutaneous ulcers and 1 sclerodermiform plaques. Vascular thrombosis was demonstrated in 2 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with multiple sclerosis treated with IFN-beta the persistent skin lesions are more frequent in female patients. Generally is not necessary to stop the treatment.
Fortuño
Y
Y
Servicio de Dermatología, Ciutat Sanitària i Universitària de Bellvitge, Barcelona.
Marcoval
J
J
Gallego
I
I
Moreno
A
A
Arbizu
T
T
Peyrí
J
J
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014456:Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced*
D016899:Interferon-beta