AUTOIMMUNE HYPERTHYROIDISM IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS TREATED WITH INTERFERON BETA-1B

Objective: To report symptomatic autoimmune hyperthyroidism developing in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with interferon beta -lb (IFN-beta-1b). Report of Cases: A 44-year-old woman experienced gr adually worsening fatigue, depression, and motor function several mont hs after beginning therapy with IFN-beta-1b for MS. Graves disease ass ociated with episodic palpitations, shortness of breath, hair loss, in creased appetite, weight loss, and insomnia was confirmed with endocri nologic studies. Increased fatigue and weakness developed in a 52-year -old woman several months after starting IFN-beta-1b therapy. She also noted sweats, heat intolerance, palpitations, increased appetite, and irritability, and endocrinologic evaluation supported a diagnosis of Graves disease. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first repor t of autoimmune thyroid disease associated with IFN-beta-1b treatment in patients with MS. Psoriasis has also been reported during interfero n therapy for MS, and similar phenomena occur during interferon therap y for hepatitis C. Since some symptoms of thyroid dysfunction may be d ifficult to distinguish from typical MS-related symptoms, thyroid horm one levels should be checked when unexplained constitutional symptoms occur during IFN-beta-1b therapy.