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.