Affiliations: [a] Departments of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey | [b] Nuclear Medicine, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey | [c] Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Asuman Orhan Varoglu, Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey. Tel.: +90 442 2317099; Fax: +90 442 2361301; E-mail: asumanorhan@yahoo.co
Abstract: Objective:Osteoporosis is a secondary problem in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. There have been only a few reports about the effect of interferon beta (IFNB) 1b on bone mineral density (BMD). We aimed to determine bone mass in patients using IFNB 1b. Methods:We enrolled 17 patients taking IFNB 1b (group I), 15 patients not taking IFNB (group II). We measured the BMD and T scores values and the patients were distinguished as normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis. Results:In the lumbar spine, there was no difference between groups I and II (p=0.3). In the left femur, no significant difference was detected between groups I and II (p=1). There was an inverse correlation between the BMD at the both regions and the Expanded Disability Status Scale score (r= –0.39, p=0.03; r=–0.52, p=0.002, respectively). Conclusion:IFNB 1b may be used safely in MS patients, even in those undergoing pulse steroid therapies, because IFNB 1b has no effect on BMD.
Keywords: Interferon beta 1b (IFNB), bone mineral density (BMD), multiple sclerosis (MS)
