RESEARCH IN PROGRESS

WHAT ARE THE LONG-TERM BENEFITS AND ADVERSE EFFECTS OF BETA-INTERFERON TREATMENT FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS?

The issue

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a relatively common disease affecting the brain and spinal cord. It attacks people in the prime of their lives and it’s cause is unknown. Canada has one of the highest rates of MS in the world, with an estimated 75,000 people currently suffering from the disease, and three Canadians being diagnosed with MS every day. There is no known cure for MS and recently available drugs, such as the beta-interferons (IFNBs), are only partially effective, require frequent injections and are very expensive. Most studies focus on how well these drugs work in the short-term, whereas in reality, patients may be on these drugs for many years. Currently, little is known about the long-term benefits and side effects of IFNBs.

The BeAMS Study: Long-term Benefits and Adverse Effects of Beta-interferon for Multiple Sclerosis, is a retrospective study examining health records from all people with MS in British Columbia. Information about those who were treated with IFNBs and others who did not receive IFNB treatment are being analysed and compared. The study will be one of the few to comprehensively examine the long-term safety profiles of the IFNBs.

The study is funded jointly by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the USA’s National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Results are expected in early 2012.

Data sources linked

• Medical Services Plan   
• Hospital Separations
• Health Registry Data  
• Vital Statistics Deaths
• PharmaNet  
• Home and Community Care

Implications for population health

• Given the large number of people with MS in Canada, and the increasing popularity of the MS drugs, any long-term beneficial effects of these drugs could translate into a substantial improvement in the health of people with MS. 
• If IFNB treatment is not effective, then many people could be unnecessarily exposed to these drugs. 
• The use of IFNBs long-term could result in overall changes to health service usage such as hospital admissions and physician visits as well as employment-related issues. The results of this study will inform health services provision for British Columbians over the next decade.

Linked data research — informing policy-making for healthier communities

Population Data BC provides researchers with access to the data and training they need to address research questions on human health, well-being and development. Population Data BC does not have its own researchers or research program.