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| Authors | L M Azzopardi A Serracino Inglott M Zarb Adami R Axisa |
| Abstract | Aims: To evaluate the impact of quality of life of multiple sclerosis patients receiving interferon beta and to measure the cost of treatment. Method: A controlled study was carried out where 20 patients (age range 22-67 years) were asked to complete the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQOL-54) measurement instrument. The instrument includes a generic domain and a multiple sclerosis specific domain. An estimate of the direct costs of interferon beta 1a and 1b was calculated. Results: Test group patients (16) were receiving interferon beta and control group patients (4) were not receiving any treatment. The average physical and mental health scores for the Test Group patients were 55 and 65 whereas those for the Control Group patients were 40 and 55 indicating no statistical difference between the two groups (p value>0.05). The direct cost of treatment was 13024 Euro per patient per year for interferon beta 1a which requires a once weekly intramuscular administration and 12842 Euro per patient per year for interferon beta 1b which requires a subcutaneous administration every alternate day. Conclusion: There is no significant variation in the cost of therapy for interferon beta 1a and 1b. The study indicates that the use of interferon beta did not have a statistically significant impact on the patients quality of life. |
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| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
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| Key words | multiple sclerosis, pharmacy, treatment costs, quality of life |