Abstract
The spectrum of side effects related to interferon beta-1b (INF-1b) treatment may compromise long-term treatment adherence. We report on five patients affected with multiple sclerosis (MS) who improved skin tolerability after halving the volume of the INF-1b diluent. This a preliminary observation on five clinically stable MS patients (no relapses during the past year, no EDSS progression over the past 2 years) developing poor skin tolerability of INF-1b treatment. They were instructed to dissolve the established (250 μg) INF-1b dose in half (0.5 ml) of the standard diluent (1.0 ml, 0.54% sodium chloride solution). They were followed prospectively for 9 months. Clinical, blood and safety monitoring at months 3, 6 and 9 as well as monthly phone interviews were performed. Visual analogue scales and objective medical evaluation were used to assess side effect severity at months 3, 6 and 9. Halving the volume of the treatment diluent while maintaining the same INF-1b dose was associated with significant improvement of skin side effects profile in all patients; this improvement was sustained for 9 months. Halving the volume of the INF-1b diluent could represent a different therapeutic strategy to continue INF-1b treatment, optimize its skin tolerability and thus treatment adherence in some MS patients.
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