Abstract
Few long-term follow-up data are available on thyroid dysfunction (TD) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with glatiramer acetate (GA) or with interferon-beta (IFNb). In a cohort of 787 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients whom were followed up for 8 years, we observed an increased prevalence of TD and thyroid autoimmunity (TA) within the first year of IFNb treatment, regardless of the dose or frequency of administration, while no change was observed with GA treatment. The increased prevalence of TD and TA within the first year of IFNb treatment suggested the need for close monitoring of thyroid function and autoimmunity, though only during the first year of IFNb treatment.
Keywords:
Adverse effects; autoimmunity; glatiramer acetate; interferon beta; multiple sclerosis; thyroid.
© The Author(s) 2014.
Publication types
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Multicenter Study
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Observational Study
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Autoimmunity / drug effects*
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Female
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Glatiramer Acetate / adverse effects*
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Humans
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Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
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Interferon beta-1a / adverse effects*
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Interferon beta-1b / adverse effects*
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Italy / epidemiology
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / diagnosis
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Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / drug therapy*
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Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / epidemiology
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Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / immunology
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Prevalence
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Retrospective Studies
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Risk Assessment
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Risk Factors
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Thyroid Diseases / chemically induced*
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Thyroid Diseases / diagnosis
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Thyroid Diseases / epidemiology
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Thyroid Diseases / immunology
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Thyroid Gland / drug effects*
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Thyroid Gland / immunology
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Time Factors
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Treatment Outcome
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Young Adult
Substances
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Immunosuppressive Agents
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Interferon beta-1b
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Glatiramer Acetate
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Interferon beta-1a