Quality of life during the first 6 months of interferon-beta treatment in patients with MS

Objectives: To determine the quality of life (QoL) of MS patients during th e initial 6 months of treatment with interferon-beta (IFN-beta). Furthermor e, to determine whether changes in QoL relate to disability emotional state therapeutic expectations or side effect profile. Background: IFN-beta has been shown to have beneficial effects on the course of MS. Since the aim of IFN-beta treatment is not to cure but to slow down the disease it is impor tant to know how this treatment effects QoL Surprisingly, the impact of tre atment with IFN-beta on QoL measures has not been extensively studied so fo r. Methods: Case report documentation, including EDSS, SF-36 and MADRAS sco res, of 51 relapsing-remitting MS patients treated with IFN-beta was obtain ed at baseline and at months 1, 3 and 6. Patients also filled in a form abo ut their expectations of therapy and a questionnaire on side effects. Resul ts: During treatment there was a significant linear trend indicating improv ement in the role-physical functioning (RPF) scale of the SF-36 (F-1,F-50=4 .9, P=0.032). A transient decrease at month I was found in the scale for bo dily pain, indicating more experienced pain (F-1,F-50=19.8, P<0.001). Subgr oup analysis showed that patients with most depressive symptoms on the MADR AS at baseline contributed most to the increase in RPF scores over time (F- 1,F-24=5,6 P=0.026). Furthermore, we found associations between adverse eve nt scores and several domains of QoL. Conclusions: Our findings suggest tha t IFN-beta therapy has an impact on QoL of MS patients in that it improves role-physical functioning and transiently worsens experienced bodily pain. QoL during treatment with IFN-beta is influenced by depressive symptoms at baseline as well as by treatment-associated side-effects.