Adherence to Interferon β-1b Treatment in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Spain

Oscar Fernández, Javier Agüera, Guillermo Izquierdo, Javier Millán-Pascual, Lluis Ramió i Torrentà, Pedro Oliva, Javier Argente, Yasmina Berdei, Jose Maria Soler, Olga Carmona, Jose Maria Errea, Jordi Farrés and on behalf of the Group on Adherence to IFNb-1b in Spain

PLOS ONE, 2012, vol. 7, issue 5, 1-7

Abstract: Background: Adherence to interferon β-1b (INFβ-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 INFβ-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 INFβ-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 INFβ-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.

Date: 2012
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0035600

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0035600

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