Subcutaneous Interferon Beta Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis Patients – Characterization of Injection Site Reactions and Flu-Like Symptoms in a Daily Practice Setting – Results from the Non-Interventional Study PERFECT

• Main Authors: Kukowski B, Rehberg-Weber K, Taipale K, Kowalik A, Oschmann P
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dove Medical Press 2021-05-01
• Series: Patient Preference and Adherence
• Subjects: peginterferon beta-1a; post-authorization safety study; real-world; erythema; disease-modifying therapy
• Online Access: https://www.dovepress.com/subcutaneous-interferon-beta-therapy-in-multiple-sclerosis-patients--c-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-PPA

Borries Kukowski,1 Karin Rehberg-Weber,2 Kirsi Taipale,2 Andreas Kowalik,3 Patrick Oschmann4 1Neurologische Gemeinschaftspraxis, Göttingen, Germany; 2Biogen GmbH, Munich, Germany; 3Praxis Dr. Kowalik, Stuttgart, Germany; 4Klinik für Neurologie, Klinikum Bayreuth GmbH, Bayreuth, GermanyCorrespondence: Borries KukowskiNeurologische Gemeinschaftspraxis, Groner-Tor-Straße 3, Göttingen, 37073, GermanyTel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [e-mail]: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of injection site reactions (ISR) and flu-like symptoms (FLS) during treatment with subcutaneous (SC) interferon (IFN) beta therapies and to document measures to mitigate and prevent ISR and FLS.Patients and Methods: The cross-sectional post-authorization safety study PERFECT was conducted from 11/2017 to 7/2019 in neurology practices in Germany. Adult patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) receiving SC IFN beta for ≥ 3 months were eligible. The primary endpoints were patient-reported prevalence of ISR and FLS. Additional endpoints reported by patients, MS nurses, and neurologists included type, frequency, duration, time of occurrence, and management of ISR and FLS.Results: In total, 603 patients (median age 45 years [range 36– 53], 74% female) were included in the analysis. Time since MS diagnosis was > 5 years in most patients. The majority had received none (64%) or 1 (22%) prior therapy. Current MS therapy in 36%, 32%, and 30% of patients was IFN beta-1b, IFN beta-1a, and peginterferon beta-1a, respectively. ISR and FLS under current therapy were reported by 84% and 68% of patients, respectively. ISR developed within 5 days after injection (84%) and lasted for 2– 14 days (53%) in most patients. The most frequent patient-reported symptom was erythema (39%). ISR resolved or abated with systemic treatments or topical ointments. Most frequent preventive measures included alternating injection sites (58%). Occurrence of ISR rarely resulted in treatment interruption (5%). FLS occurred predominantly up to 6 h after injection (40%) and lasted < 12 h (26%). The most frequent patient-reported symptoms were fatigue (15%) and aching limbs (15%). Assessments by physicians and MS nurses differed from patient-reported results.Conclusion: Although ISR were experienced by the majority of patients, they rarely resulted in treatment interruption. In this real-world setting, ISR and FLS management was in line with published expert recommendations.Keywords: peginterferon beta-1a, post-authorization safety study, real-world, erythema, disease-modifying therapy