title: Fatigue Improvement after Switching Multiple Sclerosis Treatment from Interferon-β to Glatiramer Acetate in Clinical Practice.
abstract: The immunomodulatory effect of glatiramer acetate may help in reducing multiple sclerosis (MS)-related fatigue; however, evidence to prove this notion especially after switching from another immunomodulatory therapy is limited. We assessed the 6-month effect of glatiramer acetate on MS-related fatigue in patients switching from interferon-β (IFN-β) in clinical practice.
  
  
  
  This was an observational study including 54 patients with relapsing-remitting MS that showed moderate/severe fatigue primarily caused by MS before switching from IFN-β to glatiramer acetate and received glatiramer acetate for ≥6 months in daily practice. Study data were retrospectively collected through chart review at treatment switch and over the following 6 months on glatiramer acetate.
  
  
  
  Over the 6-month administration of glatiramer acetate, scores on the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale decreased: overall (p < 0.001), physical scale (p < 0.001), cognitive scale (p < 0.001), and psychosocial scale (p < 0.001). The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire showed improvements in work (p = 0.009) and other daily activity impairment (p < 0.001). Health-related quality of life as per the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale also improved: physical score (p < 0.001) and psychological score (p < 0.001).
  
  
  
  Patients with moderate/severe fatigue switching from IFN-β to glatiramer acetate may benefit from fatigue improvements that contribute to reduce their work/activity impairment and improve their quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Hospital Clx00ED;nico Universitario x2018;Virgen de la Arrixaca', Murcia, Spain.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meca-Lallana
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: Ana Belén
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Caminero
authors.forename: Juan Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Girón
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cano-Orgaz
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carcelén-Gadea
authors.forename: Delicias
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Durán-Ferreras
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martín-Hernández
authors.forename: Rainel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sánchez-de la Rosa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057915:Drug Substitution; D005221:Fatigue / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta