Quality of life during the first 6 months of interferon-beta treatment in patients with MS.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the quality of life (QoL) of MS patients during the initial 6 months of treatment with interferon-beta (IFN-beta). Furthermore, to determine whether changes in QoL relate to disability, emotional state, therapeutic expectations or side effect profile.


BACKGROUND
IFN-beta has been shown to have beneficial effects on the course of MS. Since the aim of IFN-beta treatment is not to cure but to slow down the disease it is important to know how this treatment affects QoL. Surprisingly, the impact of treatment with IFN-beta on QoL measures has not been extensively studied so far.


METHODS
Case report documentation, including EDSS, SF-36 and MADRAS scores, of 51 relapsing-remitting MS patients treated with IFN-beta was obtained at baseline and at months 1, 3 and 6. Patients also filled in a form about their expectations of therapy and a questionnaire on side effects.


RESULTS
During treatment there was a significant linear trend indicating improvement in the role-physical functioning (RPF) scale of the SF-36 (F(1,50)=4.9, P=0.032). A transient decrease at month 1 was found in the scale for bodily pain, indicating more experienced pain (F(1,50)=19.8, P<0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with most depressive symptoms on the MADRAS at baseline contributed most to the increase in RPF scores over time (F(1,24)=5,6 P=0.026). Furthermore, we found associations between adverse event scores and several domains of QoL.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that IFN-beta therapy has an impact on QoL of MS patients in that it improves role-physical functioning and transiently worsens experienced bodily pain. QoL during treatment with IFN-beta is influenced by depressive symptoms at baseline as well as by treatment-associated side-effects. Multiple Sclerosis (2000) 6 338 - 342
Arnoldus
J H
JH
Department of Neurology, University Hospital Vrije Universiteit, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Killestein
J
J
Pfennings
L E
LE
Jelles
B
B
Uitdehaag
B M
BM
Polman
C H
CH
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004644:Emotions; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a