Early Treatment of MS Symptoms with Interferon-β May Reduce Later Disability

Several studies have shown that after a first neurologic episode highly suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS), treatment with interferon-β delays occurrence of a second episode at a different location (i.e., clinically definite MS). In one such study, industry-funded investigators randomized patients to begin interferon-β or placebo within 60 days of a first suggestive clinical event and to continue treatment for 2 years or until progression to clinically definite MS, whichever occurred first. Upon completion of the study, 378 patients accepted open-label interferon-β and continued regular clinical assessments, allowing the researchers to compare progression of disease and disability between patients who received early and delayed treatment.

After a total follow-up of 3 years, risk for progression to clinically definite MS was significantly lower in the early-treatment group than in the delayed-treatment group (37% vs. 51%). Most patients in both groups remained at a low level of disability, but risk for progression on a standardized 10-point MS disability score was significantly lower in the early-treatment group (16% vs. 24%).