Abstract | OBJECTIVE: BACKGROUND: Current treatment regimens leave 4% to 30% of patients with CIDP with moderate or severe disability. IFN-beta has been reported as beneficial in one treatment-resistant patient. METHODS: Ten consecutive treatment-resistant patients were randomized in a double-blind, crossover design to receive placebo or IFN-beta (3 MIU for 2 weeks and then 6 MIU for 10 weeks) subcutaneously three times weekly, followed by 4 weeks without treatment, and then the opposite treatment for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measure was "clinically important" improvement by specified amounts in any three of eight clinical measures: timed 10-m walk, Ambulation Index, expanded Medical Research Council sum score, nine-hole peg test time, Functional Independence Measure, Hammersmith Motor Ability, a new Guy's Neurological Disability Scale, and the EuroQoL quality-of-life scale. These and motor median nerve conduction studies were measured before and after 12 weeks of each treatment. RESULTS: Clinically important improvement was observed in one patient while taking IFN-beta and two patients while taking placebo. There was no significant difference between IFN-beta and placebo in the change in any of the individual clinical or neurophysiological measures between the beginning and end of treatment. There were no serious adverse events. CONCLUSION: This trial shows that IFN-beta is safe but not efficacious in treatment-resistant CIDP.
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Authors | R D Hadden, B Sharrack, S Bensa, S E Soudain, R A Hughes |
Journal | Neurology
(Neurology)
Vol. 53
Issue 1
Pg. 57-61
(Jul 13 1999)
ISSN: 0028-3878 [Print] United States |
PMID | 10408537
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Chemical References |
- Adjuvants, Immunologic
- Interferon-beta
- Interferon beta-1a
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Topics |
- Adjuvants, Immunologic
(therapeutic use)
- Adult
- Age of Onset
- Aged
- Chronic Disease
- Cross-Over Studies
- Demyelinating Diseases
(physiopathology, therapy)
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Humans
- Inflammation
- Interferon beta-1a
- Interferon-beta
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Median Nerve
(physiopathology)
- Middle Aged
- Neural Conduction
- Neurologic Examination
- Polyradiculoneuropathy
(physiopathology, therapy)
- Treatment Outcome
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