Title:Interferon-Beta Injection in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Related to the Induction
of Headache and Flu-Like Pain Symptoms: A Systematic Review
and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials
Volume: 20
Issue: 8
Author(s): Leonardo Gomes Pereira, Patrícia Rodrigues, Fernanda Tibolla Viero, Julia Maria Frare, Luís Guilherme Ramanzini and Gabriela Trevisan*
Affiliation:
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Graduated Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa
Maria (UFSM), 97105-900 Santa Maria (RS), Brazil
Keywords:
Adverse effects, disability, disease-modifying therapies, immunomodulatory, neuroinflammation, treatment.
Abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative, inflammatory, and autoimmune
disease characterised by the demyelination of the central nervous system. One of the main approaches
for treating MS is the use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Among the DMTs are
interferons (IFNs), which are cytokines responsible for controlling the activity of the immune system
while exerting immunomodulatory, antiviral, and antiproliferative activities. IFN-beta (IFN-β)
is the first-choice drug used to treat relapsing-remitting MS. However, the administration of IFN-β
causes numerous painful adverse effects, resulting in lower adherence to the treatment. Therefore,
this study aimed to investigate the headache and flu-like pain symptoms observed after IFNβ injection
in MS patients using a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. A
total of 2370 articles were identified through research databases. Nine articles were included (three
involving IFNβ-1b and six involving IFNβ-1a). All studies included in the meta-analysis had a low
risk of bias. The odds ratio of headache and flu-like pain symptoms increased in MS patients treated
with IFN-β. Thus, the adverse effects of headache and flu-like pain symptoms appear to be linked to
IFN-β treatment in MS. The protocol of the study was registered in the Prospective International
Registry of Systematic Reviews (registration number CRD42021227593).