[Experience in the treatment of multiple sclerosis with interferon beta in Galicia].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the experience in daily clinical practice of interferon-beta (IFN-beta) treatment in relapsing-remitting (RR) and secondary progressive (SP) multiple sclerosis (MS) in Galicia (Spain).


METHODS
Patients with RR-MS and SP-MS treated with IFN-beta1a and 1b between 1995 and December/2000, analyzing demographic and clinical data.


RESULTS
313 patients were included, with a mean age of 38.2 years. A total of 296 patients (94.6%) were clinically defined MS and 17 (5.4%) were laboratory supported (Poser criteria); 84.6% of the patients were RR and 15.4% were SP. The mean duration of the disease prior to treatment was 7.06 years. Betaferon was used in 52.4% patients (115 RR-MS and 47 SP-MS), Avonex in 26% and Rebif in 21.6%. Relapse rate was reduced in 68.8% for the RR-MS for Betaferon-treated patients, 73.3% for Avonex treated and 35.7% for Rebif-treated patients. Betaferon reduced relapse rate in 50% for SP-MS. The global EDSS remained stable during IFN-beta treatment. During treatment, 33% of Betaferon, 60.5% of Avonex and 54.5% of Rebif-treated patients remained relapse-free. Treatment was suspended in 12.9% of Betaferon, 6.2% of Avonex, and 3% Rebif-treated patients. The most frequent causes of treatment suspension were increase in disability and in relapse count.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study supports the benefits of IFN-beta treatment in RR MS and SP MS in daily clinical practice, with reduction in relapses count and incapacity, good over-all tolerance and low incidence of serious adverse side-effects.
Romero-López
J
J
Servicio de Neurología, Hospital do Meixoeiro, Vigo, España.
Seijo-Martínez
M
M
Del Campo
V
V
Amigo-Jorrín
M C
MC
Arias
M
M
Cortés-Laíño
J A
JA
Dapena-Bolaño
D
D
López-González
F J
FJ
Lorenzo-González
J R
JR
Marín-Sánchez
M
M
Muñoz-García
D
D
Ozaita-Arteche
G
G
Prieto
J M
JM
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013030:Spain
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta