Pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with interferon therapy: a population-based study

Area of Science:

• Pharmacovigilance
• Cardiovascular Epidemiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare condition.
• Previous reports suggest a potential link between interferon therapy and PAH.
• Population-based incidence data for PAH post-interferon exposure are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) after initiating interferon therapy.
• To estimate the risk of PAH in patients exposed to interferon α or β.
• To utilize a large commercial insurance database for population-based estimates.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study using the Clinformatics™ Data Mart (CDM) database.
• Identified subjects aged 20-65 receiving interferon α or β between 2001-2012.
• Followed patients for PAH diagnosis (ICD-9-CM codes 416.0, 416.8) and PAH-specific medication use.

Main Results:

• 20,113 subjects received interferon therapy.
• Median follow-up duration was 20 months.
• Pulmonary hypertension occurred in 71 subjects; 7 received PAH-specific medications.

Conclusions:

• Development of PAH is a rare event associated with interferon therapy.
• The risk of PAH is several-fold higher in interferon-exposed individuals than the general population.
• While rare, the increased risk warrants consideration in clinical practice.