BACKGROUND Spinal cord atrophy occurs early in multiple sclerosis (MS) and impacts disability. The therapeutic effect of interferon beta-1a (IFNβ-1a) on spinal cord atrophy in patients with relapsing-remitting (RR) MS has not been explored. METHODS We retrospectively identified 16 consecutive patients receiving weekly intramuscular IFNβ-1a for 2 years [baseline age (mean ± SD) 47.7 ± 7.5 years, Expanded Disability Status Scale score median (range) 1.5 (0-2.5), timed 25-foot walk 4.6 ± 0.7 seconds; time on treatment 68.3 ± 59.9 months] and 11 sex- and age-matched normal controls (NC). The spinal cord was imaged at baseline, 1 and 2 years later with 3T MRI. C1-C5 spinal cord volume was measured by an active surface method, from which normalized spinal cord area (SCA) was calculated. RESULTS SCA showed no change in the MS or NC group over 2 years [mean annualized difference (95 % CI) MS: -0.604 mm2 (-1.352, 0.144), p = 0.106; NC: -0.360 mm2 (-1.576, 0.855), p = 0.524]. Between group analysis indicated no differences in on-study SCA change [MS vs. NC; year 1 vs. baseline, mean annualized difference (95 % CI) 0.400 mm2 (-3.350, 2.549), p = 0.780; year 2 vs. year 1: -1.196 mm2 (-0.875, 3.266), p = 0.245; year 2 vs. baseline -0.243 mm2 (-1.120, 1.607), p = 0.712]. CONCLUSION Established IFNβ-1a therapy was not associated with ongoing spinal cord atrophy or any difference in the rate of spinal cord volume change in RRMS compared to NC over 2 years. These results may reflect a treatment effect. However, due to sample size and study design, these results should be considered preliminary and await confirmation.

中文翻译：

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肌内干扰素β-1a对复发缓解型多发性硬化症脊髓体积的影响。

背景技术脊髓萎缩在多发性硬化症（MS）的早期发生并影响残疾。尚未探讨干扰素β-1a（IFNβ-1a）对复发缓解型（RR）MS患者脊髓萎缩的治疗作用。方法我们回顾性鉴定了连续16例接受每周2次每周肌注IFNβ-1a的患者[基线年龄（平均±SD）47.7±7.5岁，扩展的残疾状况量表评分中位数（范围）1.5（0-2.5），定时步行25英尺4.6±0.7秒 治疗时间[68.3±59.9个月]和11个性别和年龄相匹配的正常对照（NC）。脊髓在基线时，1年和2年后通过3T MRI成像。通过活性表面法测量C1-C5脊髓体积，由此计算归一化脊髓面积（SCA）。结果SCA在2年内未显示MS或NC组的变化[平均年化差异（95％CI）MS：-0.604 mm2（-1.352，0.144），p = 0.106；NC：-0.360mm 2（-1.576，0.855），p ＝ 0.524]。组间分析表明，研究中的SCA变化无差异[MS vs. NC; 第1年与基线相比，平均年化差异（95％CI）0.400 mm2（-3.350，2.549），p = 0.780；第2年与第1年：-1.196平方毫米（-0.875，3.266），p = 0.245；第2年与基线-0.243平方毫米（-1.120，1.607），p = 0.712]。结论确立的IFNβ-1a治疗与持续的脊髓萎缩或RRMS与NC相比2年内的脊髓体积变化率没有任何差异。这些结果可能反映出治疗效果。但是，由于样本量和研究设计的原因，应将这些结果视为初步结果并等待确认。