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Multiple sclerosis and depression: influence of interferon b therapy

Hôpital R. Salengro, CHRU Lille, 59037 Lille Cedex, France

Jérôme De Seze

Hôpital R. Salengro, CHRU Lille, 59037 Lille Cedex, France, j-deseze{at}chru-lille.fr

Tanya Stojkovic

Hôpital R. Salengro, CHRU Lille, 59037 Lille Cedex, France

Brigitte Delisse

Docteur Schaffner Hospital, 62300 Lens, France

Didier Ferriby

Hôpital R. Salengro, CHRU Lille, 59037 Lille Cedex, France

Marilyn Cabaret

Hôpital R. Salengro, CHRU Lille, 59037 Lille Cedex, France

Patrick Vermersch

Hôpital R. Salengro, CHRU Lille, 59037 Lille Cedex, France

Background and objectives: Depression is frequently part of the clinical picture of multiple sclerosis (MS). Major depression affects one in two patients with MS during the course of their lifetime. O ur objectives were to determine first, whether interferon b-1a (IFNb-1a) treatment increases the risk or level of depression and, secondly, whether depression status and depression evolution are related to the clinical characteristics of the disease. Patients and methods: We investigated 106 consecutive patients with relapsing-remitting MS treated with IFNb-1a (Avonex®). Patients with evidence of severe depression were excluded. The depression status, scored on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) (stratified as minimum, mild, moderate or severe level), and disability, scored on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), were evaluated before and after 12 months of IFNb-1a treatment. Results: At baseline, 85% of patients had a minimum or a mild depression status and after 12 months of treatment most of them (83%) retained their baseline status. Beck scores before and after treatment were not significantly different (P =0.63). There was no correlation between age, gender, duration of illness or EDSS score and Beck score at baseline (P =0.696). Patients with disability progression after one year of IFNb-1a treatment had a significantly higher Beck score at baseline than patients without disability progression (P =0.003). Conclusion: IFNb-1a (Avonex®) does not seem to significantly influence the depression status of MS patients even in those with disability progression.

Key Words: depression • interferon ß-1a • multiple sclerosis

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