title: Swiss analysis of multiple sclerosis: a multicenter, non-interventional, retrospective cohort study of disease-modifying therapies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a scarcity of reports comparing efficacy and tolerability of the multiple sclerosis (MS) disease-modifying therapies [DMTs; intramuscular interferon-β1a (IM IFNβ-1a), subcutaneous (SC) IFNβ-1a, SC IFNβ-1b, SC glatiramer acetate (GA)] in a real-world setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  This multicenter, non-interventional, retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 546 patients with clinically isolated or relapsing-remitting MS constantly treated with one DMT for 2 years. Annualized relapse rate (ARR), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, and DMT tolerability were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Demographic data were comparable across DMTs. There were no significant differences between DMT groups in ARR during study year 1 (p = 0.277) or study year 2 (p = 0.670), or in EDSS change between years 1 and 2 (p = 0.624). Adverse events were frequent (39-56%) in all groups. Flu-like symptoms were less frequent with GA treatment (2.3% vs. IM IFNβ-1a, 46.7%; SC IFNβ-1a, 39.8%; SC IFNβ-1b, 25.8%; p < 0.05). Injection site reactions were less often reported with IM IFNβ-1a (10.5% vs. SC IFNβ-1a, 33.9%; SC IFNβ-1b, 38.3%; GA, 26.1%; p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All DMTs showed comparable effects on MS relapse rate and EDSS change, with IM IFNβ-1a and GA being more tolerable with respect to injection site reactions and flu-like symptoms, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, Lugano, Switzerland. claudio.gobbi @ eoc.ch
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gobbi
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zecca
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Linnebank
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: Xiaojun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Rosetta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: Emmanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Borter
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Traber
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013557:Switzerland; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D010455:Peptides; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a