[Interferon-beta response in multiple sclerosis associated with pre-treatment disability].
AIM: To study pre-treatment clinical features and influence of neutralising antibodies (NABs) in clinical response to interferon-beta (IFNB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analysed clinical characteristics and NABs to IFNB in 96 multiple sclerosis patients treated with IFNB. Clinical response was established by clinical criteria: = 1 relapse or an increase = 0.5 or 1 point in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score after one year of treatment compared with the year prior to IFNB therapy. RESULTS: Baseline clinical characteristics were similar for responders and non-responders, except for a significantly higher baseline mean EDSS score in non-responders. Time-to-first-relapse was longer and the number of patients relapse-free was higher for NAB-negative patients, but we were unable to show an association with the disability status, probably due to sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Response to IFNB was significantly associated with pre-treatment disability measured by the EDSS. The presence of NABs to IFNB presented a delayed negative effect for relapses.