Table 3.
Adverse events (AE) by treatment assignment.
| Adverse events, n (%) | Interferon beta (n = 19) | MMF (n = 16) |
|---|---|---|
| All/any AE | 93 | 71 |
| Pain | ||
| Extremities | 13 (68.4%) | 8 (50%) |
| Back pain | 6 (31.6%) | 2 (12.5%) |
| Abdominal pain | 1 (5.3%) | 3 (18.6%) |
| Facial | 3 (15.8%) | 4 (25%) |
| Urinary tract infection | 6 (31.6%) | 6 (37.5%) |
| Headache | 3 (15.8%) | 6 (37.5%) |
| Weakness | 6 (31.6%) | 2 (12.5%) |
| Dizziness | 5 (26.3%) | 0 |
| Diarrhea | 1 (5.3%) | 5 (31.3%) |
| Fatigue | 4 (21.1%) | 2 (12.5%) |
| Numbness | 4 (21.1%) | 2 (12.5%) |
| Itching/pruritis | 2 (10.5%) | 4 (25%) |
| Flu-like symptoms | 4 (21.1%) | 0 |
| Depression | 4 (21.1%) | 0 |
| Upper respiratory infection | 0 | 4 (25%) |
| MS relapse | 3 (15.8%) | 2 (12.5%) |
| Laboratory abnormalities | 3 (15.8%) | 3 (18.6%) |
| Nausea | 3 (15.8%) | 1 (6.3%) |
| Sinusitis | 3 (15.8%) | 0 |
| Tooth infection | 1 (5.3%) | 3 (18.6%) |
| Eye infection | 0 | 3 (18.6%) |
| Metal taste | 1 | 3 (18.6%) |
| Influenza | 2 (10.5%) | 3 (18.6%) |
| Anxiety | 2 (10.5%) | 1 (6.3%) |
| Trauma | 2 (10.5%) | 0 |
| Speech problems | 2 (10.5%) | 0 |
| Hemorrhoids | 2 (10.5%) | 0 |
| Site reaction | 2 (10.5%) | 0 |
| Insomnia | 1 (5.3%) | 1 (6.3%) |
| Abscess | 1 (5.3%) | 0 |
| Suicidal thoughts | 1 (5.3%) | 0 |
| Trigeminal symptoms | 1 (5.3%) | 0 |
| Incontinence | 1 (5.3%) | 1 (6.3%) |
| Bleeding of the nose | 0 | 1 (6.3%) |
| Ear infection | 0 | 1 (6.3%) |
The adverse events are listed in descending order of frequency. The differences in total number and frequency of adverse events between the two treatment arms are shown.