Quality of life, depression and fatigue in mildly disabled patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis receiving subcutaneous interferon beta-1a: 3-year results from the COGIMUS (COGnitive Impairment in MUltiple Sclerosis) study

Mult Scler. 2011 Aug;17(8):991-1001. doi: 10.1177/1352458511401943. Epub 2011 Apr 18.

Abstract

Background: The precise relationships among quality of life, depression, fatigue and cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS) are complex and poorly understood.

Objective: To assess the effects of subcutaneous interferon beta-1a on quality of life, depression and fatigue over 3 years in the COGIMUS study, and to examine the relationship between these outcomes and baseline cognitive status.

Methods: COGIMUS was an observational 3-year trial assessing cognitive function in 459 patients with relapsing-remitting MS treated with subcutaneous interferon beta-1a.

Results: In total, 331 patients completed the study (168 received interferon beta-1a, 44 µg subcutaneously three times weekly, and 163 received interferon beta-1a, 22 µg subcutaneously three times weekly). Mean MS Quality of Life-54 (MSQoL-54) composite scores did not change over time. There were no significant differences between groups in MSQoL-54 composite scores when patients were grouped by treatment dose and baseline cognitive status. Mean (standard deviation) Hamilton Depression Rating Scale score decreased from 6.8 (4.9) at baseline to 5.8 (5.9) at year 3. Mean total Fatigue Impact Scale scores were low (<30) at all time points.

Conclusion: Quality of life, depression and fatigue remained largely stable over 3 years; no effects of treatment dose or baseline cognitive status were found.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / administration & dosage
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cognition Disorders / drug therapy
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Depression / drug therapy*
  • Depression / etiology
  • Fatigue / drug therapy*
  • Fatigue / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Interferon beta-1a
  • Interferon-beta / administration & dosage
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / complications*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / psychology
  • Quality of Life*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Interferon-beta
  • Interferon beta-1a