A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Beta-interferon protects multiple sclerosis patients against enhanced susceptibility to infections caused by poor air quality
Authors: Oikonen MK, Eralinna JP
Publisher: KARGER
Publication year: 2008
Journal: Neuroepidemiology
Journal name in source: NEUROEPIDEMIOLOGY
Journal acronym: NEUROEPIDEMIOLOGY
Volume: 30
Issue: 1
First page : 13
Last page: 19
Number of pages: 7
ISSN: 0251-5350
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1159/000113301
Abstract
Background: The monthly multiple sclerosis relapse rate was studied from January 1995 to March 2001 from hospital records in Southwestern Finland as a retrospective open-label study. Methods: The relapse rates of beta-interferon users and nonusers were compared to ambient air inhalable particle levels and viral infections in the population with logistic regression. Results: In the non-user group, relapses were more frequent 1 month following the episodes when PM 10 was in the highest quartile [logistic regression odds ratio = 1.196 (95% CI = 1.019-1.404), p = 0.028] and following adenovirus epidemics in the general population [ logistic regression odds ratio = 2.234 (95% CI = 1.013-4.926), p = 0.046]. PM10 and virus infections had no significant effects in interferon users. Conclusion: In addition to being antiviral, interferon also protected multiple sclerosis patients against an enhanced susceptibility to infections caused by PM10. Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Background: The monthly multiple sclerosis relapse rate was studied from January 1995 to March 2001 from hospital records in Southwestern Finland as a retrospective open-label study. Methods: The relapse rates of beta-interferon users and nonusers were compared to ambient air inhalable particle levels and viral infections in the population with logistic regression. Results: In the non-user group, relapses were more frequent 1 month following the episodes when PM 10 was in the highest quartile [logistic regression odds ratio = 1.196 (95% CI = 1.019-1.404), p = 0.028] and following adenovirus epidemics in the general population [ logistic regression odds ratio = 2.234 (95% CI = 1.013-4.926), p = 0.046]. PM10 and virus infections had no significant effects in interferon users. Conclusion: In addition to being antiviral, interferon also protected multiple sclerosis patients against an enhanced susceptibility to infections caused by PM10. Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.
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