title: Interferon beta1a and depression in secondary progressive MS: data from the SPECTRIMS Trial.
abstract: Depression is a suspected side effect of treatment with interferon beta1a in MS. However, an association with depression has not been confirmed by rigorous studies. During the SPECTRIMS clinical trial of interferon beta1a (Rebif) in secondary progressive MS, depression ratings were obtained from 365 subjects treated either with interferon beta1a or with placebo. No significant differences between groups emerged during 36 months of follow-up. These data suggest that depression is not a side effect of interferon beta1a.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences and Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. patten@ucalgary.ca
authors.forename: Scott B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Patten
authors.forename: Luanne M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Metz
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a