A study that has been worked on from 1985 to 2008 have made scientist believe that beta interferon, a widely prescribed medication, may not be associated in slowing the progression of MS in patients with relapsing remitting MS.
This study is based on 2,656 patients which where separated into three groups of patients with RRMS, a group with 868 patients which received beta interferon and compared this group progression to two other groups, one with 829 patients which were eligible for beta interferon however they did not receive the medication, the other which concluded of 959 patients which were eligible for treatment before the medication was available.
The results came out to be that patients treated with beta interferon were no less likely than untreated patients to progress to the point where they required a cane to walk, which is a benchmark measure of disease progression, although beta interferon is a widely prescribed medication, it was stated that little research has been done to prove this.
However, patients and clinicians should not abandon interferon beta over these results, since controlled clinical trials have shown that beta interferon and other disease-modifying drugs cut down on relapse frequency and related progression of impairment and disability in MS.
RRMS which is the most common type of MS, is know for its flare-ups with worsening of the symptoms, which is followed by a partial, full, or no recovery of some prior function. Flare-ups usually occurs in MS's early stage, relapsing remitting MS can develop into progressive MS, which has a gradual but steady loss of movement or ability.
While we wait for a more effective treatment option, researchers should identify which groups of patients will have a better benefit from beta interferon.
Source Reference: MSRC
