Tolerability of Interferon Beta-1b for Multiple Sclerosis and Clinically Isolated Syndrome in Korea
YooHwan Kim, MD1, Byung-Jo Kim, MD, PhD1, Byoung Joon Kim, MD, PhD2, Jeeyoung Oh, MD, PhD3, In Soo Joo, MD, PhD4, Young-Min Lim, MD, PhD5, Yoen Jung Lee, MD, PhD6, Kwang-Kuk Kim, MD, PhD5
Department of 1Neurology, Korea University Medical Center, Department of 2Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Department of 3Neurology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, Department of 4Neurology, Ajou
Background: Interferon beta-1b has been used for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)
and clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) with excellent safety profiles. Although a recent study suggested
no difference in clinical manifestations between Caucasians and Koreans, effective drug
dosage and tolerability could be different among patients with different ethnicity. This study was performed
to investigate tolerability and any factors affecting tolerability of interferon beta-1b in Korean
patients with MS or CIS.
Methods: All patients who have been injecting interferon beta-1b for MS or CIS were recruited from
39 nation-wide university affiliated hospitals in Korea from August 2006 to July 2012. All subjects
were asked to report any adverse events (AEs) after injecting interferon beta 1b using a selfquestionnaire.
Results: A total of 355 patients (322 MS and 33 CIS) were enrolled. 96 AEs were reported by 59 patients
(16.62%) except injection site reaction. 35 AEs by 23 patients (6.48%) were drug related
events listed in drug information. Of 16 serious AEs reported by 9 patients (2.54%), 13 events were
related to relapse and the other 3 events were 1 suicide attempt and 2 injection site infection. Any injection
site reactions were reported in 38% of patients, but all events were mild. No one discontinued
interferon beta-1b during study period.
Conclusions: Compared to previous studies, occurrence rate of AEs by interferon beta-1b in Korean
patients with MS showed similar results.
Journal of Multiple Sclerosis 6(2):29-36, 2015
