Background and objective: Treatment with beta interferon (IFNbeta) might alter the lipid profile. Plasmatic levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol have been associated with the number of plaques in magnetic resonance of patients with demyelinating syndromes.
Patients and method: Retrospective analysis of total cholesterol and triglyceride levels during the first year of treatment with IFNbeta in multiple sclerosis patients and association between lipid levels and disease activity, compared to patients using glatiramer acetate (GA).
Results: 84 patients under IFNbeta and 23 GA patients were studied. Mean total cholesterol plasmatic levels lowered during the first year, whereas triglyceride levels rose since the first 6 months. These changes were more intense in the IFNbeta(1a) intramuscular group. No changes were observed in the GA group. Lipid changes were not associated with disease activity.
Conclusions: In multiple sclerosis patients, triglyceride levels rise whereas total cholesterol levels decrease during the first year of treatment with IFNbeta. These changes do not seem to be related with disease activity.