Study of Health Records Suggests Therapy with Interferons Lowered Risk of Death in Relapsing MS
March 18, 2019
In a study funded in part by the National MS Society, researchers in Canada and France evaluated medical records and outcomes for people with relapsing MS who had been prescribed interferon beta (1a and 1b) to treat their MS. The researchers compared outcomes for people who had been prescribed interferons compared to those who had not during a specific interval. Using sophisticated statistical methods, they found as a whole that the group that had been exposed to at least 6 months of interferons, but especially to more than three years of interferons, had a lower risk of death during the study period, compared to those who had not been exposed to interferons. This adds to previous evidence suggesting that interferons could improve survival among people with MS. This study was not designed to answer the question of whether this same benefit is seen with other MS disease-modifying therapies.
Read about it on the University of British Columbia’s website
Read the scientific abstract in the journal Brain
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. Currently there is no cure. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include disabling fatigue, mobility challenges, cognitive changes, and vision issues. An estimated 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to minimize disability. Significant progress is being made to achieve a world free of MS.
The National MS Society, founded in 1946, is the global leader of a growing movement dedicated to creating a world free of MS. The Society funds cutting-edge research for a cure, drives change through advocacy and provides programs and services to help people affected by MS live their best lives. Connect to learn more and get involved: nationalMSsociety.org, Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram, YouTube or 1-800-344-4867.