Selected predictors increase the chance of effective interferon beta treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis

Wojciech Cendrowski
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Z Samodzielnego Publicznego ZOZ-u Lecznica Centrum w Warszawie

Abstract

Background: Most demographic, clinical and MRI variables in patients with relapsing – remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) failed to predict the IFN beta treatment outcome.

Objective: To identify pre-treatment and early treatment variables which predict in RRMS patients a beneficial response to the INF beta therapy.

Method and patients: A survey of 20 articles on pretreatment and early treatment variables predicting the result of the IFN beta therapy in MS patients.

Results: Age, gender, duration of the disease, the total or annual number of relapses and disability scale status prior to the treatment did not prognosticate the response to the IFN beta treatment. In the pre-treatment period responders compared with non-responders underwent the RR course more often. The earlier initiation of the IFN beta treatment showed a positive predictive value but only in selected patients. During the first 2 years of treatment the absence of relapses, decreased disability scale status, neuroimages with 0-2 new T2 – related lesions, without active T1-related enhanced lesions and with lower T2-, T1- related lesions predicted beneficial effects after further 2-3 years of treatment.

Conclusion: A composite of selected predictors increases the chance of the beneficial IFN beta treatment outcome. The composite consists of the reduced number of relapses, the diminished disability scale status, the limited volume of new or extending T2-, T1- related lesions and the decreased number of active enhanced lesions during the first 2 years of treatment

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