Key result
Beta-interferon discontinuation after three years was significantly more frequent in patients with secondary progressive MS (23%) than in those with relapsing-remitting MS (14%, P=0.0003).
Why the study?
What are the frequency, timing, and reasons for discontinuing beta-interferon therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis?
Population
394 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and secondary progressive MS treated by a single…
Design
Cohort
Follow-up
median 49 months
Authors
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Higher discontinuation in SPMS may prompt earlier therapy review; leaves open optimal switching strategies in progressive disease.
Cohort (n=394)
No
What are the frequency, timing, and reasons for discontinuing beta-interferon therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis?
Absolute Event Rate: 23% vs 14%
p-value: p=0.0003
Beta-interferon discontinuation in multiple sclerosis occurs earlier when due to side effects and is more common in secondary progressive MS due to treatment failure.
O’Rourke et al. (2005) conducted a cohort in Relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (n=394). Beta-interferon (IFNB) in secondary progressive MS (SPMS) vs. Beta-interferon (IFNB) in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) was evaluated on IFNB stopping rate after three years of follow-up (p=0.0003). Beta-interferon discontinuation after three years was significantly more frequent in patients with secondary progressive MS (23%) than in those with relapsing-remitting MS (14%, P=0.0003).