Authors: Ytterberg, C.; Johansson, S.; Andersson, M.¹; Olsson, D.²; Link, H.³; Holmqvist, L. W.; von Koch, L.¹

Source: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, Volume 116, Number 2, August 2007 , pp. 96-99(4)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Ytterberg C, Johansson S, Andersson M, Olsson D, Link H, Holmqvist LW, von Koch L. Combination therapy with interferon-beta and glatiramer acetate in multiple sclerosis.

Acta Neurol Scand 2007: 116: 96-99. © 2007 The Authors Journal compilation © 2007 Blackwell Munksgaard. Objectives - 

To compare the effects of mono-therapy with interferon-beta (IFN-β) or glatiramer acetate (GA) with IFN-β + GA combination therapy for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). Materials & methods - 

In the context of a longitudinal observational study at the MS Centre, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, 83 persons with MS receiving mono-therapy at baseline were studied. Because of MS worsening 21 switched to IFN-β + GA combination therapy for 16-24 months, and 62 remained on the same mono-therapy for 24 months. Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite, cognitive function, depressed mood, relapse occurrence and perceived physical and psychological impact were assessed. Linear mixed-effects models and generalized estimating equations were employed to evaluate changes in each outcome over time. Results - 

Patients on IFN-β + GA therapy showed greater change in odds for high perceived psychological impact. No other significant differences between treatments were found. Conclusions - 

The results underline the need for a randomized trial of IFN-β + GA in MS.

Keywords: combination therapy; glatiramer acetate; interferon-beta; multiple sclerosis; Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite; observational study

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0404.2007.00801.x

Affiliations: 1: Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge 2: Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet 3: Neurotec Department, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

Publication date: 2007-08-01

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