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Azathioprine and interferon β-1b treatment in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
  1. C MILANESE,
  2. L LA MANTIA,
  3. A SALMAGGI
  1. Istituto Nazionale Neurologico C Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
  2. IRCCS Fondazione Don Gnocchi, Milan, Italy
  1. Dr C Milanese msgroup{at}istituto-besta.it
  1. D CAPUTO
  1. Istituto Nazionale Neurologico C Besta, Via Celoria 11, 20133 Milan, Italy
  2. IRCCS Fondazione Don Gnocchi, Milan, Italy
  1. Dr C Milanese msgroup{at}istituto-besta.it

https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.70.3.413

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    Both interferon β-1b (IFNβ-1b) and azathioprine (AZA) are effective in reducing relapse frequency in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).1 2 However, no prospective study has compared the efficacy of the two drugs. To assess their clinical efficacy and impact on the patients' quality of life, we performed a pilot study on a small group of patients with RRMS. Patients with at least two relapses during the previous 2 years and EDSS lower than or equal to 3.5 were offered treatment with IFNβ-1b or AZA after information about the efficacy, tolerability, and mode of administration of both drugs, and allocated to one of the two treatments according to the patient's choice. Some patients refused to be treated with either drug, mainly because of the fear of side effects and the negative impact of chronic treatment on their lifestyle; they were followed up according to the …

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