Article
Adherence to interferon ß-1b treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis in Spain
Author/s | Fernández Fernández, Óscar
Izquierdo Ayuso, Guillermo Agüera, Javier Millán Pascual, Jorge Ramió i Torrentà, Lluis Oliva Nacarino, Pedro Argente, Javier Berdei, Yasmina Soler, José María Carmona, Olga Errea, Jose María Farrés, Jordi |
Department | Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Medicina |
Publication Date | 2012 |
Deposit Date | 2015-02-04 |
Published in |
|
Abstract | Background: Adherence to interferon b-1b (INFb-1b) therapy is essential to maximize the beneficial effects of treatment in
multiple sclerosis (MS). For that reason, the main objectives of this study are to assess adherence ... Background: Adherence to interferon b-1b (INFb-1b) therapy is essential to maximize the beneficial effects of treatment in multiple sclerosis (MS). For that reason, the main objectives of this study are to assess adherence to INFb-1b in patients suffering from MS in Spain, and to identify the factors responsible for adherence in routine clinical practice. Methodology/Principal Findings: This was an observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study including 120 Spanish patients with MS under INFb-1b treatment. Therapeutic adherence was assessed with Morisky-Green test and with the percentage of doses received. The proportion of adherent patients assessed by Morisky-Green test was 68.3%, being indicative of poor adherence. Nevertheless, the percentage of doses received, which was based on the number of injected medication, was 94.3%. The main reason for missing INFb-1b injections was forgetting some of the administrations (64%). Therefore, interventions that diminish forgetfulness might have a positive effect in the proportion of adherent patients and in the percentage of doses received. In addition, age and comorbidities had a significant effect in the number of doses injected per month, and should be considered in the management of adherence in MS patients. Conclusion/Significance: Among all the available methods for assessing adherence, the overall consumption of the intended dose has to be considered when addressing adherence. |
Files | Size | Format | View | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
Adherence_interferon.pdf | 90.30Kb | [PDF] | View/ | |