INTRODUCTION: The objective of this work was to assess the factors identified in the Global Adherence Project (GAP) in disease-modifying therapy (DMT) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to propose measures directed at improving adherence. It was proposed to prepare questionnaires to detect patients at risk of non-adherence before and during the follow-up. METHODS: Two meetings were held by Spanish researchers involved in the GAP project. Factors associated with non-adherence were grouped in therapy-, patient-, disease- and health care professional-related factors. Four working groups were created. Each group studied one individual,factor, taking into account the stages of diagnosis, management and administering treatment, follow-up and discontinuation or change of treatment. A draft of proposals and tools (questionnaires) was agreed. RESULTS: Patients should be provided with summaries of treatments, in a positive and simple way, and have time to discuss any doubts. Questionnaires should be given to patients at the start of treatment and during follow-up, so that individual characteristics can be assessed in order to monitor their adherence and act accordingly. Patients should be instructed in the management of the most common adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic education to improve adherence to treatments and identification of non-adherent patients is recommended. We propose 2 questionnaires, initial and follow up, to stratify patients depending on their adherence.
INTRODUCTION: The objective of this work was to assess the factors identified in the Global Adherence Project (GAP) in disease-modifying therapy (DMT) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to propose measures directed at improving adherence. It was proposed to prepare questionnaires to detect patients at risk of non-adherence before and during the follow-up. METHODS: Two meetings were held by Spanish researchers involved in the GAP project. Factors associated with non-adherence were grouped in therapy-, patient-, disease- and health care professional-related factors. Four working groups were created. Each group studied one individual,factor, taking into account the stages of diagnosis, management and administering treatment, follow-up and discontinuation or change of treatment. A draft of proposals and tools (questionnaires) was agreed. RESULTS:Patients should be provided with summaries of treatments, in a positive and simple way, and have time to discuss any doubts. Questionnaires should be given to patients at the start of treatment and during follow-up, so that individual characteristics can be assessed in order to monitor their adherence and act accordingly. Patients should be instructed in the management of the most common adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic education to improve adherence to treatments and identification of non-adherent patients is recommended. We propose 2 questionnaires, initial and follow up, to stratify patients depending on their adherence.