Contributions
Abstract: EP1806
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Therapy - disease modifying - 32 Others
Background: Interferon beta-1a is one of the most commonly prescribed disease modifying therapies (DMTs) to treat persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, use of these products is often accompanied by systemic symptoms and/or reactions. Comparing the tolerability of these medications in pwMS will provide valuable information to help clinicians and patients be better informed when considering specific therapeutic interventions.
Objective: Our objective was to evaluate and compare the presence of injection site reactions (ISR) and flu-like symptoms (FLS) between users of peginterferon beta-1a (PegIFN beta-1a) and subcutaneous (sq) interferon beta-1a tiw (SQ IFN beta-1a tiw).
Methods: Patients were part of the Tolerability study; an ancillary study of the New York State Multiple Sclerosis Consortium (NYSMSC). Of the 87 patients who have provided data to date, 50 (57.5%) used PegIFN beta-1a; while 37 (42.5%) used SQ IFN beta-1a tiw. Frequencies of FLS and ISR were calculated and compared between the PegIFN beta-1a users and SQ IFN beta-1a tiw group using Chi-square analysis. Furthermore, the severity of FLS and ISR were compared using a Mann-Whitney U test.
Results: There were no significant group differences with respect to age (mean overall=50.4 years, SD=12.1), sex (female n=61, 70.1%), disease duration (median= 12.4 years) or EDSS scores at baseline (median=3.0). FLS were reported in 33 (66.0%) PegIFN beta-1a users and 20 (54.1%) patients using SQ IFN beta-1a tiw (p=not significant [NS]). Median duration of FLS in the PegIFN beta-1a group was slightly longer than in the SQ IFN beta-1a tiw group (13-18 hours versus 0-6 respectively, p-value=0.004). ISRs were reported in the majority of patients in this study (46 [93.9%] in the PegIFN beta-1a group, 31 [83.8%] in the SQ IFN beta-1a tiw, p= NS). ISR redness was more frequently reported among patients using PegIFN beta-1a than interferon beta-1a users (46 [95.8%] vs 28 [75.7%] respectively, p=.006). Additionally, the severity of redness was more severe among PegIFN beta-1a users (median=3.0 vs 2.0, [0-5 scale], p< .001). There were no other group differences in reported symptoms or severity of symptoms.
Conclusions: On the whole, ISR and FLS are common among users of both types of IFN products. However, ISR redness was more frequently reported among PegIFN beta-1a users and duration of FLS was slightly longer in this group as well compared to users of SQ IFN beta-1a tiw.
Disclosure: This study was sponsored by EMD Serono, Inc., Rockland, MA
Caila B Vaughn has nothing to disclose.
Katelyn S Kavak has nothing to disclose.
Aisha Bushra has nothing to disclose.
Muhammad Nadeem has nothing to disclose.
Karen Zakalik has nothing to disclose.
Barbara E Teter has received grant and/or research support from Biogen Idec, Teva Neuroscience, EMD Serono, Avanir, Genzyme and Novartis.
Bianca Weinstock-Guttman has received honoraria as a speaker and as a consultant for Biogen Idec, Teva Pharmaceuticals, EMD Serono, Genzyme, Sanofi, Novartis and Acorda Therapeutics. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received research funds from Biogen Idec, Teva Pharmaceuticals, EMD Serono, Genzyme, Sanofi, Novartis and Acorda Therapeutics.
Abstract: EP1806
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Therapy - disease modifying - 32 Others
Background: Interferon beta-1a is one of the most commonly prescribed disease modifying therapies (DMTs) to treat persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, use of these products is often accompanied by systemic symptoms and/or reactions. Comparing the tolerability of these medications in pwMS will provide valuable information to help clinicians and patients be better informed when considering specific therapeutic interventions.
Objective: Our objective was to evaluate and compare the presence of injection site reactions (ISR) and flu-like symptoms (FLS) between users of peginterferon beta-1a (PegIFN beta-1a) and subcutaneous (sq) interferon beta-1a tiw (SQ IFN beta-1a tiw).
Methods: Patients were part of the Tolerability study; an ancillary study of the New York State Multiple Sclerosis Consortium (NYSMSC). Of the 87 patients who have provided data to date, 50 (57.5%) used PegIFN beta-1a; while 37 (42.5%) used SQ IFN beta-1a tiw. Frequencies of FLS and ISR were calculated and compared between the PegIFN beta-1a users and SQ IFN beta-1a tiw group using Chi-square analysis. Furthermore, the severity of FLS and ISR were compared using a Mann-Whitney U test.
Results: There were no significant group differences with respect to age (mean overall=50.4 years, SD=12.1), sex (female n=61, 70.1%), disease duration (median= 12.4 years) or EDSS scores at baseline (median=3.0). FLS were reported in 33 (66.0%) PegIFN beta-1a users and 20 (54.1%) patients using SQ IFN beta-1a tiw (p=not significant [NS]). Median duration of FLS in the PegIFN beta-1a group was slightly longer than in the SQ IFN beta-1a tiw group (13-18 hours versus 0-6 respectively, p-value=0.004). ISRs were reported in the majority of patients in this study (46 [93.9%] in the PegIFN beta-1a group, 31 [83.8%] in the SQ IFN beta-1a tiw, p= NS). ISR redness was more frequently reported among patients using PegIFN beta-1a than interferon beta-1a users (46 [95.8%] vs 28 [75.7%] respectively, p=.006). Additionally, the severity of redness was more severe among PegIFN beta-1a users (median=3.0 vs 2.0, [0-5 scale], p< .001). There were no other group differences in reported symptoms or severity of symptoms.
Conclusions: On the whole, ISR and FLS are common among users of both types of IFN products. However, ISR redness was more frequently reported among PegIFN beta-1a users and duration of FLS was slightly longer in this group as well compared to users of SQ IFN beta-1a tiw.
Disclosure: This study was sponsored by EMD Serono, Inc., Rockland, MA
Caila B Vaughn has nothing to disclose.
Katelyn S Kavak has nothing to disclose.
Aisha Bushra has nothing to disclose.
Muhammad Nadeem has nothing to disclose.
Karen Zakalik has nothing to disclose.
Barbara E Teter has received grant and/or research support from Biogen Idec, Teva Neuroscience, EMD Serono, Avanir, Genzyme and Novartis.
Bianca Weinstock-Guttman has received honoraria as a speaker and as a consultant for Biogen Idec, Teva Pharmaceuticals, EMD Serono, Genzyme, Sanofi, Novartis and Acorda Therapeutics. Dr. Weinstock-Guttman has received research funds from Biogen Idec, Teva Pharmaceuticals, EMD Serono, Genzyme, Sanofi, Novartis and Acorda Therapeutics.