Analysis of recent data on prolonged treatment with interferon-β1a in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis shows a series of important facts. Early treatment is associated with better clinical outcomes and more favourable prognosis.
Higher cumulative dose reduces the average annual number of relapses, slowers progression of three-month-confirmed disability and delays progression to secondary progressive phase of the disease. At the beginning, treatment can be followed by some prognostic indicators.
Treatment with interferon-b1a increases the proportion of patients with no clinical symptoms and stationary finding on magnetic resonance imaging (no evidence of disease activity). Retrospective data suggest a stabilization of the disease in comparison with dimethyl fumarate and teriflunomide.