[Adherence to long-term therapy with disease modifying drugs].

Adherence to long-term therapy is a necessary condition of successful long-term treatment of the such chronic disabling disease as multiple sclerosis (MS). We studied factors associated with the rejection of treatment with disease modifying drugs (DMD) in 153 patients of the Moscow multiple sclerosis center who received or rejected the DMD treatment by their own choice. The groups were compared by neurological, socio-demographic and neuropsychological characteristics. The EDSS, HADS and the original socio-demographic questionnaire have been administered. Patients receiving glatimer acetate rejected the treatment less often compared to those receiving other DMD. The withdrawal of any DMD in the anamnesis predicted the future rejection of treatment. The first four months was the most risky period with respect to the rejection. Lack of family support, absence of work and age were independent factors associated with the rejection of DMD. Marked anxiety, lack of cooperation and lack of compliance were associated with the patient's rejection of treatment. No significant correlations of the treatment rejection, duration and type of MS course with depression were found.