Interferon beta-1a long-term therapy related to pulmonary arterial hypertension in multiple sclerosis patients. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fok, Anthony; Williams, Trevor; McLean, Catriona A; Butler, Ernest
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis. Volume 22:Number 11(2016)
• Page Start: 1495
• Page End: 1498
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Beta-interferon -- interferon -- multiple sclerosis -- pulmonary arterial hypertension; Central nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Myelin sheath -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; Central Nervous System Diseases -- Periodicals; Demyelinating Diseases -- Periodicals; Inflammation -- Periodicals; Multiple Sclerosis -- Periodicals; Système nerveux central -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Gaine de myéline -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Inflammation (Pathologie) -- Périodiques; Sclérose en plaques -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1177/1352458515618020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1352-4585

Abstract

We report two patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) on interferon (IFN) beta-1a treatment for more than 7 years who developed pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Patient 1 developed severe PAH requiring lung transplantation. Histology showed typical proliferative lesions including plexiform lesions consistent with PAH. Patient 2 ceased IFN beta-1a, and their symptoms stabilised. Both cases highlight IFN beta-1a treatment as a potential risk factor for PAH. PAH needs to be considered as a diagnosis in patients on long-term IFN beta-1a treatment who develop new-onset respiratory symptoms.