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Improvement of health-related quality of life in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients after 2 years of treatment with intramuscular interferon-beta-1a

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Abstract

In patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), the effect of interferon-beta (INFb) on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) is not firmly documented. The objective of this study is to assess HR-QoL during 2 years of treatment with intramuscular INFb and its correlation with disability. In 36 neurological practices in the Netherlands (17), Belgium (16), United Kingdom (2) and Luxemburg (1), 284 RRMS patients were treated with intramuscular INFb-1a. Physical and mental domains of HR-QoL were measured by the MS54 Quality of Life (MS54QoL) questionnaire, and disability was assessed by the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) (Timed 25-Foot Walk Test [Timed 25-FWT], 9 Hole Peg Test [9-HPT], Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test [PASAT]) at baseline and at months 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score was assessed at baseline and month 24. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were determined and predefined factors were analyzed for relation to HR-QoL after baseline by stepwise regression analyses on physical and mental scores. 204 patients (71.8%) completed 2 years of treatment. Mean values for MS54QoL increased from 56.6 to 61.0 for physical (p < 0.05) and from 57.2 to 61.1 for mental domain (p = 0.07). Correlations between physical domain and MSFC was −0.40 (p < 0.05), and between mental domain and MSFC −0.24 (p < 0.05). MSFC and EDSS did not change. Increase of physical MS54QoL was associated with lower age, lower EDSS, less time for Timed 25-FWT, and higher PASAT score at baseline. Increase of mental MS54QoL was associated with higher PASAT and lower EDSS. Patients who discontinued INFb had lower physical or mental HR-QoL at baseline. In RRMS patients, 2 years of treatment with intramuscular INFb-1a is associated with an increase in HR-QoL, especially in younger patients with low disability.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Biogen Idec International, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands for unrestricted funding of the study. We are grateful to patients, nurses and secretaries for their invaluable contributions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MS4 Research Institute, Ubbergseweg 34, 6522 KJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Peter Joseph Jongen

  2. Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 10, 1200, Brussels, Belgium

    Christian Sindic

  3. Faculty of Medicine, University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Herwig Carton

  4. Multiple Sclerosis Centre Nijmegen, Heiweg 97, 6533 PA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Cees Zwanikken

  5. Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Health Technology Assessment, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Comeniuslaan 4, 6525 HP, Nijmegen, The Netherlands

    Wim Lemmens & George Borm

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  1. Peter Joseph Jongen
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Consortia

The Functional composite and quality of Life in Avonex-treated Relapsing multiple sclerosis patients (FLAIR) study group

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Correspondence to Peter Joseph Jongen.

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Appendix

Appendix

Collaborators (FLAIR study group):

The Netherlands

  1. 1.

    Dr. Anten, Maaslandziekenhuis, Sittard;

  2. 2.

    Dr. Driessen, Dr. Baard, Vlietlandziekenhuis, Vlaardingen-Schiedam;

  3. 3.

    Dr. Frequin, St Antoniusziekenhuis, Nieuwegein;

  4. 4.

    Dr. Hintzen, Academisch Ziekenhuis Rotterdam, Rotterdam

  5. 5.

    Dr. Hupperts, Academisch Ziekenhuis Maastricht, Maastricht;

  6. 6.

    Dr. Jongen, then at the Multiple Sclerosis Centre Nijmegen, Nijmegen;

  7. 7.

    Dr. Linssen, St Lucas-Andreasziekenhuis, Amsterdam;

  8. 8.

    Dr. Mispelblom Beyer, Spaarneziekenhuis, Heemstede;

  9. 9.

    Dr. Moll, Medisch Centrum Rijnmond-Zuid, Rotterdam;

  10. 10.

    Dr. van Munster, Bosch Medisch Centrum, Den Bosch;

  11. 11.

    Dr. Pratzsky, De Heel-Zaans Medisch Centrum, Zaandam;

  12. 12.

    Dr. Sanders, Ignatiusziekenhuis, Breda;

  13. 13.

    Dr. Smits, Ziekenhuis Gelderse Vallei, Ede;

  14. 14.

    Dr. van Walbeek, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, Amsterdam;

  15. 15.

    Dr. Willems, Centraal Militair Hospitaal, Utrecht;

  16. 16.

    Dr. Witjes, Ziekenhuis Gooi-Noord, Blaricum;

  17. 17.

    Dr. van Zuilen, Scheperziekenhuis, Emmen;

Belgium

  1. 1.

    Dr. Bartholomé, Hôpital Universitaire U.L.B. Erasme, Bruxelles;

  2. 2.

    Dr. Braeckveldt, Dr. Van der Motte, RHMS-Baudour, Baudour;

  3. 3.

    Dr. Debruyne, Universiteitsziekenhuis Gent, Gent;

  4. 4.

    Dr. Decoo, St Elisabethziekenhuis, Sijsele;

  5. 5.

    Prof. Dedeyn, Dr. Engelborghs, Academisch Ziekenhuis Middelheim, Antwerp;

  6. 6.

    Dr. Dupuis, Dr. Jacquerye, Clinique St Pierre, Ottignies;

  7. 7.

    Dr. Van de Gaer, MS Kliniek Overpelt, Overpelt;

  8. 8.

    Dr. Guillaume, Dr. Reznik, Centre de Neurologie et Revalidation Neurologique, Fraiture;

  9. 9.

    Dr. Harmant, Clinique St Luc, Bouge;

  10. 10.

    Dr. D’Hooghe, Nationale MS Kliniek, Melsbroek;

  11. 11.

    Dr. Klippel, Dr. Willems, Virga Jesse Ziekenhuis, Hasselt;

  12. 12.

    Dr. van Landegem, Dr. Strauven, Algemeen Ziekenhuis St Camillus—St Augustinus, Wilrijk

  13. 13.

    Prof. Maertens de Noordhout, Dr. Delavaux, CHR La Citadelle, Hopital de la Citadelle, Liège;

  14. 14.

    Dr. Nagels, Universiteitsziekenhuis Antwerpen, Edegem;

  15. 15.

    Dr. Seeldrayers, Dr.Vervonck, CHU de Charleroi, Charleroi;

  16. 16.

    Prof. Sindic, dr. Goffette, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Bruxelles.

UK

  1. 1.

    Dr. El-Memar, Kingston Hospital NHS Trust, Kingston-Upon-Thames;

  2. 2.

    Dr. Hawkins, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast;

Luxemburg

  1. 1.

    Dr. de Diego, Hôpital Princesse Marie-Astrid, Niedercorn.

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Jongen, P.J., Sindic, C., Carton, H. et al. Improvement of health-related quality of life in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients after 2 years of treatment with intramuscular interferon-beta-1a. J Neurol 257, 584–589 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-009-5378-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-009-5378-x

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