Author/Authors :
Mazdeh, Mehrdokht Department of Neurology - Farshchian Hospital - Hamadan University of Medical Sciences , Afzali, Saeed Department of Internal Medicine - Farshchian Hospital - Hamadan University of Medical Sciences , Jaafari, Mahmood Reza Department of Radiology - Farshchian Hospital - Hamadan University of Medical Sciences
Abstract :
We aimed to compare the therapeutic effect of Avonex (Av), Betaferon (Be) & Rebif (Re) on the
Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Ninety patients referring to Farshchian
Hospital were entered in this study. The patients were divided into three equal groups: group 1 received Av,
group 2 received Re and group 3 received Be, and after 24 months, comparison was done by calculating
primary and final EDSS and the relapse rate. For comparison of the primary and final EDSS in each group,
the relapse rate between the groups and side effects between the drugs, the paired samples t.test, the One-Way
ANOVA test and the Pearson- chi-square were used. Average age was 31.11 ± 8.62 years, 80% being female.
Comparison of the average primary and final EDSS using the paired samples t.test showed a significant
statistical difference (P < 0.05). Motor and visual disturbances (respectively 68.3% and 60.3%) were the most
common signs and relapsing- remitting form was the most common form (42.1%).The average EDSS change
of groups Av, Be and Re was respectively, 1.28 (29.76%), 1.30(24.30%) and 1.26 (26.63%), showing no
significant statistical difference in reducing EDSS. Groups Av and Be, showed no significant statistical
difference in the average relapse rate before and after treatment, but in group Re there was a significant
difference (P < 0.05). Treatment with these drugs reduces motor disability, with no significant difference
between them. Also in comparison, Re has a greater effect in reducing the relapse rate, but again with no
significant statistical difference among them.
