Published in:
01-02-2010 | Neuro-ophthalmology
The effect of interferon β-1a on optic neuritis relapse in patients with multiple sclerosis
Published in: Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | Issue 2/2010
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Background
To evaluate the clinical effect of interferon β-1a on optic neuritis (ON) relapse in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Taiwan.
Methods
Data were collected from 23 MS patients with ON at National Taiwan University Hospital between January 1, 1993 and February 1, 2007. Twenty-three MS patients with ON received interferon β-1a (Rebif) 44 µg via subcutaneous injection three times weekly. All patients received corticosteroids pulse therapy followed by oral prednisolone for acute ON. The annual relapse rate (ARR) of ON in these MS patients before and after the use of interferon β-1a (Rebif) was the main clinical parameter of outcome in this study.
Results
The ARR of ON was lower in the posttreatment period than in the pretreatment period (P = 0.0068). Thirteen patients (56.5%) had improved final visual acuity (>2 lines), and the other ten patients (43.5%) had stable final visual outcome (−2 lines < X < 2 lines). In addition, no recurrence of ON was noted in 15 patients (65.2%) during the posttreatment period.
Conclusions
The use of interferon β-1a 44 µg via subcutaneous injection three times weekly did not increase the ON attacks in MS patients receiving this treatment. In addition, beneficial effects were found with the use of interferon β-1a on these patients.