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Reactions 779 - 27 Nov 1999 Increased depression after starting interferon-β-1a treatment is related to the level of depression 2 weeks before starting treatment, according to Dr David Mohr and colleagues from the US. They say it is likely that patients’ expectations of the new therapy result in a temporary improvement in depression. These researchers studied 56 patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis, using the depression-dejection scale of the Profile of Mood States. In patients who scored high on the depression measure 2 weeks before starting interferon-β-1a therapy, depression improved significantly on starting treatment, but returned almost to baseline levels within 2 months. The investigators recommend assessing history of depression in all patients started on interferon-β-1a, as those with a recent history of depression are at risk of increased depression in the first 2 months of therapy, even if they are not depressed when starting treatment. Mohr DC, et al. Course of depression during the initiation of interferon beta-la treatment for multiple sclerosis. Archives of Neurology 56: 1263-1265, Oct 1999 800804418 1 Reactions 27 Nov 1999 No. 779 0114-9954/10/0779-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved

Increased depression after starting interferon-β-1a treatment

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Reactions 779 - 27 Nov 1999

■ Increased depression after starting interferon-β-1atreatment is related to the level of depression 2 weeksbefore starting treatment, according to Dr David Mohrand colleagues from the US. They say it is likely thatpatients’ expectations of the new therapy result in atemporary improvement in depression. Theseresearchers studied 56 patients with relapsing multiplesclerosis, using the depression-dejection scale of theProfile of Mood States. In patients who scored high onthe depression measure 2 weeks before startinginterferon-β-1a therapy, depression improvedsignificantly on starting treatment, but returned almostto baseline levels within 2 months. The investigatorsrecommend assessing history of depression in allpatients started on interferon-β-1a, as those with arecent history of depression are at risk of increaseddepression in the first 2 months of therapy, even ifthey are not depressed when starting treatment.Mohr DC, et al. Course of depression during the initiation of interferon beta-latreatment for multiple sclerosis. Archives of Neurology 56: 1263-1265, Oct1999 800804418

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Reactions 27 Nov 1999 No. 7790114-9954/10/0779-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved