The effect of interferon beta-1a on optic neuritis relapse in patients with multiple sclerosis.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the clinical effect of interferon beta-1a on optic neuritis (ON) relapse in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Taiwan.


METHODS
Data were collected from 23 MS patients with ON at National Taiwan University Hospital between January 1, 1993 and February 1, 2007. Twenty-three MS patients with ON received interferon beta-1a (Rebif) 44 microg via subcutaneous injection three times weekly. All patients received corticosteroids pulse therapy followed by oral prednisolone for acute ON. The annual relapse rate (ARR) of ON in these MS patients before and after the use of interferon beta-1a (Rebif) was the main clinical parameter of outcome in this study.


RESULTS
The ARR of ON was lower in the posttreatment period than in the pretreatment period (P = 0.0068). Thirteen patients (56.5%) had improved final visual acuity (>2 lines), and the other ten patients (43.5%) had stable final visual outcome (-2 lines < X < 2 lines). In addition, no recurrence of ON was noted in 15 patients (65.2%) during the posttreatment period.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of interferon beta-1a 44 microg via subcutaneous injection three times weekly did not increase the ON attacks in MS patients receiving this treatment. In addition, beneficial effects were found with the use of interferon beta-1a on these patients.
Chen
Yan-Ming
YM
Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei, Taiwan.
Yang
Chih-Chao
CC
Wang
I-Hua
IH
Hu
Fung-Rong
FR
Jou
Jieh-Ren
JR
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013624:Taiwan; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D055815:Young Adult
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a