Annals of neurology
-
Annals of neurology · Jan 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyPredictors of long-term outcome in multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferon β.
To identify early predictors of long-term outcomes in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) treated with intramuscular (IM) interferon beta-1a (IFNβ-1a). ⋯ Disease activity despite treatment with IFNβ is associated with unfavorable long-term outcomes. Particular attention should be paid to gadolinium-enhancing lesions on IFNβ therapy, as their presence strongly correlates with severe disability 15 years later. The results provide rationale for monitoring IFNβ-treated patients with MRI, and for changing therapy in patients with active disease.