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Multiple Sclerosis, Vol. 13, No. 9, 1153-1160 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1352458507079291

Comparison of injection site pain and injection site reactions in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with interferon beta-1a or 1b

K. Baum

Department of Neurology, Klinik Hennigsdorf, Hennigsdorf, Germany, karl_baum01{at}yahoo.co.uk

C. O'Leary

Department of Neurology, Southern General Hospital NHS Trust, Glasgow, UK

F. Coret Ferrer

Servicio de Neurologia, Hospital Clinico Universitario de Valencia, Valencia, Spain

E. Klimova

Department of Neurology, J. A. Reiman Teaching Hospital, Presov, Kosice, Slovak Republic

L. Prochazkova

Department of Neurology, University Hospital ak Derera, Bratislava, Slovak Republic

J. Bugge

Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Berlin, Germany

for the BRIGHT Study Group

This prospective, multicentre, international, observational, cohort study compared injection site pain (ISP) and injection site reactions (ISRS) between interferon beta-1b (IFNB-1b; Betaferon ®) 250 µg subcutaneously every other day and interferon beta-1a (IFNB-1a; Rebif®) 44 µg subcutaneously three times weekly in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. Patients started treatment within 3 months before recruitment and were on full dose of therapy at inclusion. Patients self-injected IFNB and self-assessed ISP for 15 consecutive injections immediately, 30 and 60 min after injection, using a visual analogue scale diary. Study staff assessed ISRS. Of 445 patients (valid cases), ~90% used autoinjectors. More patients were pain-free at all timepoints with IFNB-1b than with IFNB-1a (eg, 30 min: 42.6% versus 19.7%; P< 0.0001). The mean proportion of pain-free injections was greater for IFNB-1b (eg, 30 min: 79.0%) than for IFNB-1a (53.3%; P < 0.0001). The proportion of patients without ISRS was greater for IFNB-1b (second visit 51.8% versus 33.8%; P < 0.0001). Compared with IFNB-1a, more IFNB-1b patients either had no pain or their ISP had no influence on treatment satisfaction (76.9% versus 64.1%; P = 0.006). The impact on tolerability and patient acceptability of any new IFNB product formulations would, however, have to be evaluated in comparative studies. Multiple Sclerosis 2007; 13 : 1153—1160. http://msj.sagepub.com

Key Words: autoinjector • injection site pain • injection site reaction • interferon beta • interferon beta-1a • interferon beta-1b • multiple sclerosis • patient adherence


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