-Depression and suicide have been reported in association with multiple sclerosis (MS). Some studies show that interferon beta may increase the depression rate. We report a case of depression and suicidal ideation in coincidence with the start of increased doses of interferon beta-1a and their complete reversal following the drug withdrawal. The patient was a 21-year-old man with MS and no past history of affective disorders who was given interferon beta-1a in the dose of 11 ”g three times per week. As a new relapse occurred the dose of interferon beta-1a was increased to 22 ”g three times a week. The patient then observed increased worry, irritability and a sense of discouragement as well as recurring suicidal thoughts. His mood was rapidly restored following interferon beta-1a withdrawal. This case suggests that patients with MS may develop depression and suicidal thoughts when treated with high doses of interferon beta-1a.KEY WORDS: multiple sclerosis, interferon beta-1a, depression, suicidal ideation.
DepressĂŁo e idĂ©ias suicidas induzidas por interferon beta-1a na esclerose mĂșltiplaRESUMO -DepressĂŁo e idĂ©ias suicidas sĂŁo relatados na esclerose mĂșltipla (EM). Alguns estudos demonstram que interferon beta pode aumentar sua freqĂŒĂȘncia. Relatamos o caso de um jovem de 21 anos com EM, sem histĂłria pregressa de distĂșrbios psiquiĂĄtricos, que vinha usando interferon beta-1a na dose de 11 ”g trĂȘs vezes por semana, com boa tolerĂąncia. A dose foi aumentada para 22 ”g trĂȘs vezes por semana apĂłs um novo surto. O paciente observou o aparecimento de fenĂŽmenos depressivos e idĂ©ias suicidas coincidindo com o aumento da dose. A suspensĂŁo da droga foi acompanhada de desaparecimento completo desses sintomas. Seis meses apĂłs a retirada do interferon beta-1a, o paciente se encontra em uso de acetato de glatiramer, nĂŁo tendo mais apresentado qualquer fenĂŽmeno depressivo ou pensamentos suicidas. Este caso sugere que pacientes com EM podem desenvolver depressĂŁo e pensamentos suicidas quando tratados com doses elevadas de interferon beta-1a.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: esclerose mĂșltipla, interferon beta-1a, depressĂŁo, idĂ©ias suicidas.