BACKGROUND: The Walgreens Connected Care Multiple Sclerosis (CCMS) treatment management program provides enhanced levels of monitoring, oversight, and care for patients taking MS disease-modifying agents. This study compared rates of adherence to MS medications for patients participating in the CCMS program for at least 6 months with those for patients participating for less than 6 months. For a subsample of patients, we also examined the relationship between adherence and the presence of fatigue or depression. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients new to the CCMS program and followed up for 1 year of participation. Adherence to MS medications was measured as the proportion of days covered, with propensity scores used to match the CCMS intervention group to the less-managed comparison group. The impact of program participation on the relationship between depression or fatigue and adherence over time was a separate analysis. RESULTS: Mean proportion of days covered rates improved significantly in the group managed for at least 6 months compared with those who were less managed. Positive screenings for fatigue and depression reduced adherence in the less-managed group but not in patients with longer participation in the program. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the CCMS program significantly increased adherence to MS medications. This improved adherence was not negatively impacted by positive screenings for fatigue and depression.
BACKGROUND: The Walgreens Connected Care Multiple Sclerosis (CCMS) treatment management program provides enhanced levels of monitoring, oversight, and care for patients taking MS disease-modifying agents. This study compared rates of adherence to MS medications for patients participating in the CCMS program for at least 6 months with those for patients participating for less than 6 months. For a subsample of patients, we also examined the relationship between adherence and the presence of fatigue or depression. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients new to the CCMS program and followed up for 1 year of participation. Adherence to MS medications was measured as the proportion of days covered, with propensity scores used to match the CCMS intervention group to the less-managed comparison group. The impact of program participation on the relationship between depression or fatigue and adherence over time was a separate analysis. RESULTS: Mean proportion of days covered rates improved significantly in the group managed for at least 6 months compared with those who were less managed. Positive screenings for fatigue and depression reduced adherence in the less-managed group but not in patients with longer participation in the program. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the CCMS program significantly increased adherence to MS medications. This improved adherence was not negatively impacted by positive screenings for fatigue and depression.
Authors: Christina Caon; Carol Saunders; Jennifer Smrtka; Karolyn Davis; Alan Davis; Jonathan M Kay; Nancy Baxter Journal: J Neurosci Nurs Date: 2010-10 Impact factor: 1.230
Authors: Karen M Stockl; Jennifer S Shin; Sherry Gong; Ann S m Harada; Brian K Solow; Heidi C Lew Journal: Am J Manag Care Date: 2010-02 Impact factor: 2.229
Authors: Katherine Treadaway; Gary Cutter; Amber Salter; Sharon Lynch; James Simsarian; John Corboy; Douglas Jeffery; Bruce Cohen; Ken Mankowski; Joseph Guarnaccia; Lawrence Schaeffer; Roy Kanter; David Brandes; Charles Kaufman; David Duncan; Ellen Marder; Arthur Allen; John Harney; Joanna Cooper; Douglas Woo; Olaf Stüve; Michael Racke; Elliot M Frohman Journal: J Neurol Date: 2009-04-27 Impact factor: 4.849