title: A post-marketing study on immunomodulating treatments for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in Lombardia: preliminary results.
abstract: The preliminary results of a post-marketing study on relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with immunomodulating agents attending the Lombardia Region's Multiple Sclerosis Centers are presented. A total of 294 patients treated with Betaferon (67), Avonex (115), Rebif 22 (45), Rebif 44 (18) and Copaxone (49) were included. Relapse frequency consistently decreases at 1 year and continues to decrease after 5 years of treatment, without differences between therapeutic groups. Eighty-seven out of 294 patients (29.6%) discontinued treatment for different reasons. Forty-eight of them shifted to a second therapeutic agent. A different trend, to lower or higher doses of interferon or immunosuppression, according to reasons of discontinuation, was observed.
authors.affiliation: Multiple Sclerosis Center, National Neurological Institute C. Besta, Via Celoria 11, I-20133, Milan, Italy. msgroup@istituto-besta.it
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Milanese
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beghi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: La Mantia
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mascoli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Confalonieri
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007558:Italy; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D010455:Peptides; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a