The effect of interferon-beta1a on relapses and progression of disability in patients with clinically isolated syndromes (CIS) suggestive of multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
In 85% of young adults with multiple sclerosis (MS), onset is a subacute clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) of the optic nerves, brain stem or spinal cord. The advent of disease-modifying treatments for MS has increased attention on early stages of the disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of interferon on relapses and progression of disability in patients with a CIS.


METHODS
This randomized, clinical trial was conducted in 25 patients who presented with a CIS indicative of MS. They were evaluated in two groups: 11 patients who were receiving interferon-beta(1a) (Rebif, Serono) subcutaneous injections three times a week (group A), and 14 patients who were not receiving disease-modifying treatment (group B). The progression of disability was determined using the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the numbers of new relapses were recorded during 21 months of follow-up.


RESULTS
The mean numbers of new relapses and changes in EDSS at the end of study period were 0.68 (standard deviation [S.D.]=0.80) and -1.09 (S.D.=0.49), and 1.79 (S.D.=1.05) and -0.64 (S.D.=0.49) in groups A and B, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that disease-modifying treatment with interferon-beta(1a) may reduce relapses (P=0.007) and prevent progressive disability (P=0.034).


CONCLUSIONS
Interferon-beta(1a) significantly delayed progression to disability and incidence of new relapses.
Motamed
Mohammad Reza
MR
Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Hemmat Highway, Tehran, Iran. mrmotamed2005@yahoo.com
Najimi
Neda
N
Fereshtehnejad
Seyed-Mohammad
SM
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001933:Brain Stem; D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009188:Myelitis, Transverse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013577:Syndrome
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a