Comparison of injection site pain and injection site reactions in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferon beta-1a or 1b

This prospective, multicentre, international, observational, cohort study compared injection site pain (ISP) and injection site reactions (ISRS) between interferon beta-1b (IFNB-1b; Betaferon ®) 250 μg subcutaneously every other day and interferon beta-1a (IFNB-1a; Rebif®) 44 μg subcutaneously three...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Multiple sclerosis 2007-11, Vol.13 (9), p.1153-1160
Main Authors: Baum, K., O'Leary, C., Coret Ferrer, F., Klimova, E., Prochazkova, L., Bugge, J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adjuvants, Immunologic - administration & dosage
Adjuvants, Immunologic - adverse effects
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases
Female
Humans
Injections, Subcutaneous
Interferon beta-1a
Interferon beta-1b
Interferon-beta - administration & dosage
Interferon-beta - adverse effects
Male
Medical sciences
Multiple sclerosis and variants. Guillain barré syndrome and other inflammatory polyneuropathies. Leukoencephalitis
Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting - drug therapy
Neurology
Pain - chemically induced
Pain Measurement
Patient Compliance
Prospective Studies
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Summary:This prospective, multicentre, international, observational, cohort study compared injection site pain (ISP) and injection site reactions (ISRS) between interferon beta-1b (IFNB-1b; Betaferon ®) 250 μg subcutaneously every other day and interferon beta-1a (IFNB-1a; Rebif®) 44 μg subcutaneously three times weekly in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. Patients started treatment within 3 months before recruitment and were on full dose of therapy at inclusion. Patients self-injected IFNB and self-assessed ISP for 15 consecutive injections immediately, 30 and 60 min after injection, using a visual analogue scale diary. Study staff assessed ISRS. Of 445 patients (valid cases), ~90% used autoinjectors. More patients were pain-free at all timepoints with IFNB-1b than with IFNB-1a (eg, 30 min: 42.6% versus 19.7%; P< 0.0001). The mean proportion of pain-free injections was greater for IFNB-1b (eg, 30 min: 79.0%) than for IFNB-1a (53.3%; P < 0.0001). The proportion of patients without ISRS was greater for IFNB-1b (second visit 51.8% versus 33.8%; P < 0.0001). Compared with IFNB-1a, more IFNB-1b patients either had no pain or their ISP had no influence on treatment satisfaction (76.9% versus 64.1%; P = 0.006). The impact on tolerability and patient acceptability of any new IFNB product formulations would, however, have to be evaluated in comparative studies. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13 : 1153—1160. http://msj.sagepub.com
ISSN:1352-4585
1477-0970
DOI:10.1177/1352458507079291