Contributions
Abstract: EP1808
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Therapy - disease modifying - 32 Others
Introduction: Interferon beta therapy has been a mainstay in the treatment of persons with multiple sclerosis(PwMS) since the introduction of the first MS disease modifying therapy, Interferon beta 1b1 in 1993. However, a major limitation of these medications is their flu-like side effects(FLS). This necessitates assessment and monitoring of FLS in an attempt to maximize compliance.
Background: Major clinical trials2-6 have reported on FLS, but the frequency, severity and duration of FLS have not been well characterized. Gottberg et al. addressed this question using the Swedish Symptom Frequency, Intensity and Distress(SFID) scale to evaluate patients' perceptions of the FLS experienced on interferon therapy7.
Objective: To validate the English SFID scale in a population of PwMS starting interferon therapies, as compared to a group of PwMS starting glatiramer acetate.
Methods: Sixty PwMS were recruited from the London (Ontario, Canada) MS clinic; 26 starting on interferon beta(any type) vs. 34 controls starting on glatiramer acetate. Interferon and glatiramer groups were similar in terms of age, sex, EDSS and disease duration at baseline; all had relapsing remitting MS, were relatively young (mean age 35.8 vs. 33.1), with a low EDSS(median 1.5 range 0-6 vs. median 1.5 range 0-4). Participants completed the SFID, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS), Fatigue Severity Scale(FSS), Pain Effects Scale(PES), Beck Depression Inventory, Fast Screen(BDIFS), Satisfaction with Life Scale(SWLS), Short Form Survey(SF-12), Health-100 and Symbol Digit Modality Test(SDMT) at weeks 1-8, monthly to 6 months.
Results: SFID total scores demonstrated significant positive associations with measures of fatigue and depression, demonstrating convergent validity. In contrast, there was no association between SFID scores and age, level of education and SDMT score, demonstrating discriminant validity. Scores on the SFID were significantly different between the interferon and glatiramer groups, and peaked in the interferon group at week 4, returning to baseline by month 6. The SFID scale had good internal consistency, significant test-retest reliability, and could discriminate between participants receiving interferon vs. glatiramer.
Conclusions: The SFID is a potentially valuable tool for the evaluation of FLS in PwMS on interferon therapy, providing improved quantification of FLS, and their impact on quality of life.
Disclosure:
Courtney Casserly has received personal compensation for consulting for EMD Serono, Genzyme, Roche and received a travel grant from EMD Serono and Novartis, and received funding for her Clinical Fellowship from Biogen Idec, and is a co-investigator on clinical trials for Genzyme and Roche.
In the last two years, Dr. Morrow has received honoraria for speaking, consulting, and advisory board participation from Biogen Idec, EMD Serono, Genzyme, Novartis, and Roche. She has acted as site principal investigator for clinical trials for Novartis, Genzyme and Roche. She has received investigator initiated trial funding from Genzyme.
Denise Bowman: nothing to disclose
Marnin Heisel: nothing to disclose
Kristina Gotberg: nothing to disclose
Ann Gardulf: nothing to disclose
Abstract: EP1808
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Therapy - disease modifying - 32 Others
Introduction: Interferon beta therapy has been a mainstay in the treatment of persons with multiple sclerosis(PwMS) since the introduction of the first MS disease modifying therapy, Interferon beta 1b1 in 1993. However, a major limitation of these medications is their flu-like side effects(FLS). This necessitates assessment and monitoring of FLS in an attempt to maximize compliance.
Background: Major clinical trials2-6 have reported on FLS, but the frequency, severity and duration of FLS have not been well characterized. Gottberg et al. addressed this question using the Swedish Symptom Frequency, Intensity and Distress(SFID) scale to evaluate patients' perceptions of the FLS experienced on interferon therapy7.
Objective: To validate the English SFID scale in a population of PwMS starting interferon therapies, as compared to a group of PwMS starting glatiramer acetate.
Methods: Sixty PwMS were recruited from the London (Ontario, Canada) MS clinic; 26 starting on interferon beta(any type) vs. 34 controls starting on glatiramer acetate. Interferon and glatiramer groups were similar in terms of age, sex, EDSS and disease duration at baseline; all had relapsing remitting MS, were relatively young (mean age 35.8 vs. 33.1), with a low EDSS(median 1.5 range 0-6 vs. median 1.5 range 0-4). Participants completed the SFID, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS), Fatigue Severity Scale(FSS), Pain Effects Scale(PES), Beck Depression Inventory, Fast Screen(BDIFS), Satisfaction with Life Scale(SWLS), Short Form Survey(SF-12), Health-100 and Symbol Digit Modality Test(SDMT) at weeks 1-8, monthly to 6 months.
Results: SFID total scores demonstrated significant positive associations with measures of fatigue and depression, demonstrating convergent validity. In contrast, there was no association between SFID scores and age, level of education and SDMT score, demonstrating discriminant validity. Scores on the SFID were significantly different between the interferon and glatiramer groups, and peaked in the interferon group at week 4, returning to baseline by month 6. The SFID scale had good internal consistency, significant test-retest reliability, and could discriminate between participants receiving interferon vs. glatiramer.
Conclusions: The SFID is a potentially valuable tool for the evaluation of FLS in PwMS on interferon therapy, providing improved quantification of FLS, and their impact on quality of life.
Disclosure:
Courtney Casserly has received personal compensation for consulting for EMD Serono, Genzyme, Roche and received a travel grant from EMD Serono and Novartis, and received funding for her Clinical Fellowship from Biogen Idec, and is a co-investigator on clinical trials for Genzyme and Roche.
In the last two years, Dr. Morrow has received honoraria for speaking, consulting, and advisory board participation from Biogen Idec, EMD Serono, Genzyme, Novartis, and Roche. She has acted as site principal investigator for clinical trials for Novartis, Genzyme and Roche. She has received investigator initiated trial funding from Genzyme.
Denise Bowman: nothing to disclose
Marnin Heisel: nothing to disclose
Kristina Gotberg: nothing to disclose
Ann Gardulf: nothing to disclose