Comparison of Fingolimod with Interferon Therapy in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

The aim of present study was to compare fingolimod with IFN therapy in patients with MS. Methods & Materials: In a clinical trial study, 30 patients with RRMS who referred to Imam-Reza & Razi Educational Hospitals of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences were included in the study. All patients were selected from patients treated with IFN (for at least one year) who were resistant to IFN treatment. The drug treatment switched to oral fingolimod 0.5 mg/day. Patients were followed for one year. Patients' disability was assessed at expanded disability status scale (EDSS) at the beginning and end of the study. The annualized relapse rate (ARR) during treatment with IFN and fingolimod was determined. Results: Of the 30 patients, 29 patients (96.6%) completed the study successfully. 7 patients (24.1%) were male and 22 patients (75.9%) were female. Mean age of patients was 37.10±7.09 years in range of 23 to 53 years and mean duration of MS was 7.46±4.55 years in rang of 1.5 to 20 years. At the time of IFN treatment, ARR and EDSS were 0.457 and 2.20±1.00 respectively, after switching to fingolimod, decreased to 0.069 and 1.94±1.16, respectively (P=0.001, P=0.010, respectively).