Does beta-1 b interferon increase spasticity

Journal/Book: Phys Rehab Kur Med 9 (1999) M46 / Rehab in Review Vol. 7 Nr. 1 1999.. 1999;

Abstract: Bramanti P et al.: Enhanced Spasticity in Primary Progressive MS Patients Treated with Interferon Beta-1 b. Neurology 1998; 51: 1720 - 1723 Interferon beta-1 b (IFN-1 b) is used in the treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). There exist however several anecdotal reports of increased spasticity in some NIS patients receiving interferon treatment. This study sought to assess spasticity in individuals with primary progressive MS during the course of IFN-1 b treatment. Nineteen consecutive individuals (ages 26 to 62 years) with primary progressive MS and a group of 10 patients with relapsing-remitting MS were treated with IFN-1 b. All were clinically monitored using the Ashworth Scale the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the spastic reflexes scale before treatment and every two months for one year. A comparison group of 19 patients with primary progressive MS was followed using the same scales but without IFN-1 b treatment. Among those subjects not treated with IFN-1 b spasticity was constant in 89 % of the patients. In the treated patients with primary progressive MS however 68% had increased spasticity with only 32% remaining constant. For the subjects with relapsing-remitting MS no cases of increased spasticity were found. Conclusion: This study suggests that an association exists between the use of IFN-1 b and an increase in spasticity in individuals with primary progressive MS. The authors emphasize the need of further studies of IFN-1 b prior to its routine use in this population. ___MH

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