Project 170791

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a relatively common disease of the brain and spinal cord, leading to disability, severe fatigue, and coordination problems; its cause is unknown. Canada has some of the world's highest rates; three more Canadians are diagnosed with MS everyday. There is no known cure and available drugs, such as the beta-interferons (IFNB), are only partially effective, require frequent injections and are very expensive. Most studies focus on how well these drugs work in the short-term, and only against certain facets of MS, whereas in reality, patients maybe on these drugs for many years. We do not fully know about all the possible long-term benefits and side effects associated with their use. Given the estimated 75,000 people with MS in Canada, and the increasing popularity of the MS drugs, the long-term beneficial effects of these drugs could translate into a substantial improvement in the health of people with MS. Conversely, if not effective, then many people could be unnecessarily exposed to these drugs. There have been few studies as large as ours investigating a range of possible side effects, including depression. In addition, we will examine whether the IFNBs have beneficial or even harmful effects which are more difficult to measure, but could result in overall changes to health service usage such as hospital admissions and physician visits as well as employment-related issues. This research brings together for the first time data collected for over two decades by physicians and pharmacists contributing to multiple large health databases. This important research will help develop a framework in which to evaluate the benefits and side effects of future new drugs for MS. Our study is a cost-effective way of spending research dollars, costing the equivalent of placing just six people with MS on IFNB treatment for five years. The study will benefit from its independence from the pharmaceutical industry, the manufacturers of IFNB.

using large linked health databases to investigate long-term effectiveness and safety of beta-interferon for MS