Quality Assessment in Multiple Sclerosis Therapy-The QUASIMS Survey

Disease modifying therapies such as interferons (IFN) have altered the clinical course of patients with multiple sclerosis. There are 3 interferons available: 2 types of interferon beta-1a (Avonex® and Rebif®) and interferon beta-1b (Betaseron®). However, there is no prospective trial comparing these 3 preparations. A soon-to-be-published retrospective, open-label study, QUASIMS (Quality Assessment in Multiple Sclerosis Therapy), contains the largest cohort of treated MS patients, 4754 total, assembled to compare available IFNß products in a wide range of clinical practice settings. This emerging data provides important answers about efficacy, adverse events, dosing, and switching between preparations.