A Saiz1, S Mora2, J Blanco2. 1. Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Clínic i provincial de Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona e Institut d́Investigació August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, España. Electronic address: asaiz@clinic.ub.es. 2. Departamento Médico, Novartis Farmacéutica S.A., Barcelona, España.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Non-adherence to disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in multiple sclerosis may be associated with reduced efficacy. We assessed compliance, the reasons for non-compliance, treatment satisfaction, and quality of life (QoL) of patients treated with first-line therapies. METHODS: A cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted that included relapsing multiple sclerosis patients. Compliance in the past month was assessed using Morisky-Green test. Seasonal compliance and reasons for non-compliance were assessed by an ad-hoc questionnaire. Treatment satisfaction and QoL were evaluated by means of TSQM and PRIMUS questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 220 patients were evaluated (91% relapsing-remitting); the mean age was 39.1 years, 70% were female, and the average time under treatment was 5.4 years. Subcutaneous interferon (IFN) β-1b was used in 23% of the patients, intramuscular IFN β-1a in 21%, subcutaneous IFN β-1a in 37%, and with glatiramer acetate in 19%. The overall compliance was 75%, with no significant differences related to the therapy, and 81% did not report any seasonal variation. Compliant patients had significantly lower disability scores and time of diagnosis, and greater satisfaction with treatment and its effectiveness. Discomfort and flu-like symptoms were the most frequent reasons for non-compliance. The satisfaction and QoL were associated with less disability and number of therapeutic switches. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of compliance, satisfaction and QoL in multiple sclerosis patients under DMTs is high, especially for those newly diagnosed, less disabled, and with fewer therapeutic switches. Discomfort and flu-like symptoms associated with injected therapies significantly affect adherence.
INTRODUCTION: Non-adherence to disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in multiple sclerosis may be associated with reduced efficacy. We assessed compliance, the reasons for non-compliance, treatment satisfaction, and quality of life (QoL) of patients treated with first-line therapies. METHODS: A cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted that included relapsing multiple sclerosispatients. Compliance in the past month was assessed using Morisky-Green test. Seasonal compliance and reasons for non-compliance were assessed by an ad-hoc questionnaire. Treatment satisfaction and QoL were evaluated by means of TSQM and PRIMUS questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 220 patients were evaluated (91% relapsing-remitting); the mean age was 39.1 years, 70% were female, and the average time under treatment was 5.4 years. Subcutaneous interferon (IFN) β-1b was used in 23% of the patients, intramuscular IFN β-1a in 21%, subcutaneous IFN β-1a in 37%, and with glatiramer acetate in 19%. The overall compliance was 75%, with no significant differences related to the therapy, and 81% did not report any seasonal variation. Compliant patients had significantly lower disability scores and time of diagnosis, and greater satisfaction with treatment and its effectiveness. Discomfort and flu-like symptoms were the most frequent reasons for non-compliance. The satisfaction and QoL were associated with less disability and number of therapeutic switches. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of compliance, satisfaction and QoL in multiple sclerosispatients under DMTs is high, especially for those newly diagnosed, less disabled, and with fewer therapeutic switches. Discomfort and flu-like symptoms associated with injected therapies significantly affect adherence.
Authors: María Belén Marzal-Alfaro; María Luisa Martín Barbero; JoseM García Domínguez; Fernando Romero-Delgado; María Luisa Martínez Ginés; Ana Herranz; María Sanjurjo-Sáez Journal: Eur J Hosp Pharm Date: 2017-01-13
Authors: Robert T Naismith; Barry Hendin; Sibyl Wray; DeRen Huang; Fiorenza Gaudenzi; Qunming Dong; Bjørn Sperling; Monica Mann; Brian Werneburg Journal: Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin Date: 2019-01-30