Skin reactions to interferon beta in a series of 92 patients with multiplesclerosis

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of multiple sclerosis patients develop cutaneous reactions by interferon beta 1b (IFN-beta). The am of this study was to describe clinically and histologically the cutaneous reactions by I FN-beta. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 92 patients with multiple sclerosis in tr eatment with IFN-beta was followed. Cutaneous biopsy was performed in cases with persistent lesions. RESULTS: 9 out of 92 patients presented eritematous plaques, 4 cutaneous ul cers and 1 sclerodermiform plaques. Vascular thrombosis was demonstrated in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with multiple sclerosis treated with IFN-beta the persistent skin lesions are more frequent in female patients. Generally is not necessary to stop the treatment.