Interferon injection may delay disability
accumulation
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Medical Update Memo
August 14, 2007
Summary
People with clinically isolated syndrome
(CIS), which is the first attack that can lead
to multiple
sclerosis, may have a better chance of delaying
accumulation of disability when taking Betaseron
injections every other day, compared to those that
do not. Results were reported in the August edition
of Lancet.[ Lancet. 2007 Aug 4;370(9585):389-97.]
Details
BENEFIT
is a multi-center trial conducted at 98 sites
in 20 countries and includes patients
presenting
with a first clinical episode suggestive of MS
and typical MRI findings. A total of 468 people
participated in the double blind, placebo controlled
and randomized study. The placebo-controlled treatment
period lasted up to 24 months or up to the time
when patients experienced a second attack and were
diagnosed with clinically definite MS. All study
participants were then invited to participate in
a follow-up study with Betaseron to prospectively
assess the impact of early versus delayed treatment
with Betaseron on the long-term course of the disease
for a total observation time of five years. The
results reported in the Lancet are from a pre-planned
analysis at three years.
In the study, investigators measured MS progression
of patient disability using a validated, well-established
scale called the Expanded Disability Status Scale.
Disability progression was defined as a neurological worsening defined by an
increase in a patient’s EDSS score by at least one point that was confirmed
as still present after six months.
After one year of follow-up,
16% of the early treatment group and 24%
of the delayed treatment group showed confirmed
progression by one or more points on
the EDSS. These results show a significant positive effect on disability
with
the earlier introduction of Betaseron, as compared to the delayed start.
ASK MS Information System Code: 1.4.1.60.1.q
Disponible en français.
Disclaimer
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is an independent, voluntary health
agency and does not approve, endorse or recommend any specific product or
therapy, but provides information to assist individuals in making their own
decisions.
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