BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of multiple sclerosis patients develop cutaneous reactions by interferon beta 1b (IFN-beta). The am of this study was to describe clinically and histologically the cutaneous reactions by IFN-beta. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 92 patients with multiple sclerosis in treatment with IFN-beta was followed. Cutaneous biopsy was performed in cases with persistent lesions. RESULTS: 9 out of 92 patients presented eritematous plaques, 4 cutaneous ulcers and 1 sclerodermiform plaques. Vascular thrombosis was demonstrated in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with multiple sclerosis treated with IFN-beta the persistent skin lesions are more frequent in female patients. Generally is not necessary to stop the treatment.
BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of multiple sclerosispatients develop cutaneous reactions by interferon beta 1b (IFN-beta). The am of this study was to describe clinically and histologically the cutaneous reactions by IFN-beta. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A series of 92 patients with multiple sclerosis in treatment with IFN-beta was followed. Cutaneous biopsy was performed in cases with persistent lesions. RESULTS: 9 out of 92 patients presented eritematous plaques, 4 cutaneous ulcers and 1 sclerodermiform plaques. Vascular thrombosis was demonstrated in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with multiple sclerosis treated with IFN-beta the persistent skin lesions are more frequent in female patients. Generally is not necessary to stop the treatment.