title: Interrupted therapy: stopping and switching of the beta-interferons prescribed for MS.
abstract: A retrospective chart review of patients in British Columbia with multiple sclerosis prescribed beta-interferon (IFNbeta) between 1995 and 2001 was carried out to investigate reasons for the interruption of therapy. The highest proportion of interruptions (76/281; 27%) occurred in the first 6 months. The single most common reason was perceived lack of efficacy, cited by 84 of 281 (30%). Gender, disability, and disease duration were identified as factors influencing interruption of IFNbeta therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver Hospital and Health Sciences Center, Canada. tremlett@interchange.ubc.ca
authors.forename: Helen L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Tremlett
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oger
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000209:etiology; D003469:Culture; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D010455:Peptides; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a