There was no increased risk of depression above baseline values with standard or double-dose interferon beta-1b (IFNB-1b) or glatiramer acetate (GA) treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS), a recent study found. Researchers compared the incidence of depression in releasing-remitting MS patients receiving IFNB-1b or GA in the BEYOND trial. 99% of 2,244 patients were randomized to receive either IFNB-1b 500 μg, 250 μg, or GA 20 mg for 2 to 3.5 years and submitted Beck Depression Inventory Second Edition (BDI-II) scores at screening and serially thereafter, with scores ≥14 indicated depression. They found:

• Baseline BDI-II scores ≥14 were reported in 26.3% of patients, with no meaningful difference among the 3 treatment arms.

• Percentages of patients depressed by BDI-II scores deviated little in any arm at any time.

• Antidepressant usage was likewise similar among the 3 treatment arms, as was depression severity and the frequency with which physicians recorded depression as an adverse event.

• Physicians attributed depression to IFNB-1b 250 μg therapy in 53.6% and to GA in 21.9% of instances.

Citation: Schippling S, O’Connor P, Knappertz V, et al. Incidence and course of depression in multiple sclerosis in the multinational BEYOND trial. [Published online ahead of print May 13, 2016]. J Neurol. doi:10.1007/s00415-016-8146-8.