Therapeutic effects of beta- interferons in patients with multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACT

beta-Interferons have been reported as effective medicine in the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis [MS], but due to their cost and side effects, the duration of therapy is controversial. The current study aimed to reveal the rate of recurrence according to the duration of medication among the patients receiving beta-Interferons in a 2 year period in Rafsanjan city. In this cohort study, patients who had relapsing-remiting MS for at least 2 years and had been receiving B-Interferon for at least 3 months were followed. The patients were given a questionaire containing their demographic information, recurrence rate and duration of treatment with beta- Interferon. Sixty three point six percent had no exacerbation in the group receiving medication for 3-6 months, while 38.1% in the 6 months-1 year group, and 41.7% in the 1 year group had no exacerbation. There was no significant relationship between the duration of receiving medicaton and the number of recurrence rate. Recurrence rate in the first and second group [< 12 months therapy] was 0.46% and in the third group [> 12 months therapy] was 0.35%. The results showed no significant relationship between recurrence rate and the duration of beta-Interferon therapy. Longer period of treatment is recommended to assess the therapeutic effects of beta-interferon