Interferon-beta treatment for patients with multiple sclerosis: the patients' perceptions of the side-effects

The aims of this study were to investigate (i) the self-reported frequency and intensity of systemic side-effects and their impact on the daily lives of patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and undergoing interfero n-beta therapy and (ii) the self-reported frequency and Perceptions of any local-tissue reactions. Forty patients aged 22-59 years (27 females) with r elapsing/remitting MS were consecutively recruited for the study (17 on int erferon-beta-1a and 23 on interferon-beta-1b). Two self-administered questi onnaires were used before and after 1, 4, 8 and 16 weeks of therapy. The in terferon therapy was found to be associated with flu-like symptoms. Most sy stemic side-effects were reported to be mild and to have little impact on t he patients' daily lives. Asthenia and fatigue were more often rated as mod erate or severe. The most frequently reported local-tissue side-effects wer e redness and local pain at the injection sites. A considerable inter-indiv idual variation was found among patients regarding the perceptions of both the systemic and local side-effects. This suggests that it is of importance to identify early those patients who may need more support or other interv entions to maintain a successful compliance.