Combination therapy with interferon-beta and glatiramer acetate in multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effects of mono-therapy with interferon-beta (IFN-beta) or glatiramer acetate (GA) with IFN-beta + GA combination therapy for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).


METHODS
In the context of a longitudinal observational study at the MS Centre, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, 83 persons with MS receiving mono-therapy at baseline were studied. Because of MS worsening 21 switched to IFN-beta + GA combination therapy for 16-24 months, and 62 remained on the same mono-therapy for 24 months. Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite, cognitive function, depressed mood, relapse occurrence and perceived physical and psychological impact were assessed. Linear mixed-effects models and generalized estimating equations were employed to evaluate changes in each outcome over time.


RESULTS
Patients on IFN-beta + GA therapy showed greater change in odds for high perceived psychological impact. No other significant differences between treatments were found.


CONCLUSIONS
The results underline the need for a randomized trial of IFN-beta + GA in MS.
Ytterberg
C
C
Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden. charlotte.ytterberg@ki.se
Johansson
S
S
Andersson
M
M
Olsson
D
D
Link
H
H
Holmqvist
L W
LW
von Koch
L
L
D000328:Adult; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000592:standards; D012008:Recurrence; D018401:Sample Size; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010455:Peptides; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta