engleski

Evaluation of functional status during Beta interferon therapy

Summary Twenty patients (11 females and 9 males) with remitting relapsing-multiple sclerosis (RRMS) were treated with beta interferon at University Department of Neurology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital. Thirteen patients were treated with interferon beta-1a (6 MIU 3 times weekly) and seven patients with interferon beta-1b (9, 6 MIU every other day). The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) was recorded before interferon therapy and six months after initiation of interferon therapy. Average EDSS score was slightly smaller after six months of interferon therapy in both groups, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.17 in interferon beta-1a group and p=0.36 in interferon beta-1b group). Results in this small group of patients showed early improvement in functional status in MS patients during interferon therapy. Further follow-up is required to get additional information about the course of functional improvement in MS patients during interferon therapy after longer period of time.

multiple sclerosis; beta interferon; therapy; functional status

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