Abstract
Objective. To analyze the experience in daily clinical practice of interferon-beta (IFN-beta) treatment in relapsing-remitting (RR) and secondary progressive (SP) multiple sclerosis (MS) in Galicia (Spain). Patients and methods. Patients with RR-MS and SP-MS treated with IFN-beta1a and 1b between 1995 and December:12000, analyzing demographic and clinical data. Results. 313 patients were included, with a mean age of 38,2 years. A total of 296 patients (94,6%) were clinically defined MS and 17 (5,4%) were laboratory supported (Poser criteria); 84,6% of the patients were RR and 15,4% were SP. The mean duration of the disease prior to treatment was 7,06 years. Betaferon((R)) was used in 52,4% patients (115 RR-MS and 47 SP-MS), Avonex((R)) in 26% and Rebif((R)) in 21,6%. Relapse rate was reduced in 68,8% for the RR-MS for Betaferon-treated patients, 73,3% for Avonex treated and 35,7% for Rebif-treated patients. Betaferon reduced relapse rate in 50% for SP-MS. The global EDSS remained stable during IFN-beta treatment. During treatment, 33% of Betaferon, 60,5% ofAvonex and 54,5% of Rebif-treated patients remained relapse-free. Treatment was suspended in 12,9% of Betaferon, 6,2% ofAvonex, and 3% Rebif-treated patients. The most frequent causes of treatment suspension were increase in disability and in relapse count. Conclusions. The present study supports the benefits of IFN-beta treatment in RR MS and SP MS in daily clinical practice, with reduction in relapses count and discapacity, good over-all tolerance and low incidence of serious adverse side-effects.