OBJECTIVE To examine the long-term impact of early treatment initiation of interferon beta-1b (IFNB1b, Betaferon/Betaseron) in patients with a first event suggestive of multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS In the original placebo-controlled phase of BENEFIT, patients were randomised to IFNB1b 250 μg or placebo subcutaneously every other day. After 2 years or diagnosis of clinically definite MS (C...

we aimed to compare the therapeutic effect of avonex (av), betaferon (be) & rebif (re) on the expanded disability status scale (edss) in multiple sclerosis (ms). ninety patients referring to farshchian hospital were entered in this study. the patients were divided into three equal groups: group 1 received av, group 2 received re and group 3 received be, and after 24 months, comparison was done ...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels or tobacco use were associated with conversion to multiple sclerosis (MS) or MS progression/activity in patients presenting with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). METHODS In this prospective, longitudinal study, we measured EBV IgG antibody and cotinine (biomarker of tobacco use) levels at up to 4 ...

Interferons (IFNs), first recognised because of their antiviral properties, are a key defence mechanism involved in the control of virus infections. They are small proteins separated by nucleated cells in response to viral infection or other appropriate stimuli, and are thought to act principally on other cells in their immediate vicinity. They are divided into two types: type 1 comprises IFN-á...

Interferons (IFNs), first recognised because of their antiviral properties, are a key defence mechanism involved in the control of virus infections. They are small proteins separated by nucleated cells in response to viral infection or other appropriate stimuli, and are thought to act principally on other cells in their immediate vicinity. They are divided into two types: type 1 comprises IFN-á...

Our patient, a thirty eight year old woman, had had relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis since the age of 17. In September 1995 interferon-fl lb (B-IFN, Betaferon, Schering) was introduced. After a training session the patient injected 8 million IU on alternate days. Injection sites were the thighs and the abdomen. The patient was seen 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the beginning of the therapy....

Background and objective Study evaluating Betaferon(R)'s safety and tolerability in paediatric patients with multiple sclerosis (BETAPAEDIC) is a prospective, open-label observational multicentre study to assess the safety and effectiveness of interferon beta-1b in paediatric patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Methods Treatment-naïve patients (12-16 years) scheduled to star...

OBJECTIVE To assess outcomes for patients treated with interferon beta-1b immediately after clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) or after a short delay. METHODS Participants in BENEFIT (Betaferon/Betaseron in Newly Emerging MS for Initial Treatment) were randomly assigned to receive interferon beta-1b (early treatment) or placebo (delayed treatment). After conversion to clinically definite mult...

The aim of this review is to summarize the latest information about optic neuritis, its differential diagnosis and management. Optic Neuritis (ON) is defined as inflammation of the optic nerve, which is mostly idiopathic. However it can be associated with variable causes (demyelinating lesions, autoimmune disorders, infectious and inflammatory conditions). Out of these, multiple sclerosis (MS) ...

background: multiple sclerosis (ms) is the most common demyelinating and inflammatory disease of the central nevus system especially in young adults, but in a subgroup of patients the first clinical symptoms present after the age of 50. this clinical presentation is defined as late-onset multiple sclerosis (loms). the incidence and prevalence of ms including loms vary geographically. the aim of...