Assessment of Strategies for the Management of Flu-like Symptoms in MS Patients Commencing Treatment With Betaferon (INFLUENCE)

• Frequency of usage of particular pharmacological and non-pharmacological practices applied by investigators to prevent or manage FLS [ Time Frame: 6 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Change from baseline of daily activities impairment of patients with FLS, based on patient's self assessment using four categories [ Time Frame: From baseline up to 6 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Betaferon tolerability measured as occurrence of Adverse Events (AE) and FLS over 6 months period [ Time Frame: 6 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
• MS patient with Flu-Like Symptoms (FLS) demographic profile. [ Time Frame: Up to 1 month ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  For demographic assessment the following parameters will be recorded at visit 0: birthdate (at least year), sex, weight, height.

This will be prospective, multicentre, observational study. Patients who will initiate treatment with IFNβ-1b (Betaferon) will be followed up to 6 months. Baseline visit (visit 0) i.e. treatment initiation plus four follow-up visits (visits 1-4). For each patient demographics, medical history data, safety parameters, presence of flu-like symptoms and measures to prevent or treat these symptoms will be collected.

Adult MS patients starting Betaferon therapy

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) according to McDonald (2005) criteria
• Age >/= 18 years old
• Treatment MS patients in whom the attending physician has decided to initiate therapy with interferon beta-1b; Betaferon
• Minimum 6 months wash-out period from previous IFNβ
• Written Informed Consent signed

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients previously treated with any of the disease modifying drugs (DMDs), with the exception of IFNβ therapy which ended at least 6 months earlier
• Patients receiving treatment with IFN beta other than Betaferon (Bayer)