Adherence to disease-modifying therapies in spanish patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis: two-year interim results of the global adherence project

Adherence, Persistence, Switching and Costs of Injectable and Oral Therapies for Multiple Sclerosis. Real Life Analysis Over 6 Years of Treatment

Background: Adherence and persistence to treatment with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) is a predictor of the efficacy of treatment. Aims: The objectives of the study were the analysis of adherence, persistence, switches, and costs of the drugs used in MS. Methods: This is a retrospective non-interventional pharmacological observational study of 610 patients diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) under therapy between January 2007 and September 2022. Results: Adherence values were greater than 0.75 for all the drugs in considered for the study. The mean persistence value was 2.5 years on the analysis performed on the first-line treatment. Conclusion: In a therapy in which adherence is predominant, but not exclusive to therapy efficacy, persistence to the drug is synonymous with drug efficacy.

Real-world effectiveness of cladribine as an escalation strategy for MS: Insights from the Czech nationwide ReMuS registry

Background

Cladribine, a selective immune reconstitution therapy, is approved for the treatment of adult patients with highly active multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objectives

Provide experience with cladribine therapy in a real-world setting.

Methods

This is a registry-based retrospective observational cohort study. First, using data from the Czech nationwide registry ReMuS, we analysed patients who initiated cladribine from September 1, 2018 to December 31, 2021. Second, we analysed a subgroup of patients who initiated cladribine between September 1, 2018 to June 30, 2020, thus possessing a follow-up period of at least 2 years. We evaluated demographic and MS characteristics including disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) before and after cladribine administration, relapses, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), and adherence.

Results

In total, 617 patients (335 with follow-up of at least 2 years) started cladribine therapy in the study period (mean age 37.0, mean disease duration 8.4 years, 74.1% females). In most cases, cladribine was administered as a second-line drug, a total of 80.7% had been escalated from a platform DMT. During 2 years before cladribine initiation, the average annualised relapse rate (ARR) was .67. Following cladribine initiation, the ARR decreased to .28 in the first year and .22 in the second year. Overall, across the entire two-year treatment period, 69.0% of patients were relapse-free and the average ARR was .25. As for EDSS development, the median baseline EDSS was 2.5 and remained stable even after 24 months. The adherence to treatment ranged of around 90%.

Conclusion

This nationwide study confirms the efficacy of cladribine in real-world settings, especially in patients who are not treatment-naïve. In addition, the study shows an exceptionally high adherence rate, a finding that underscores the invaluable role of cladribine, but also the value of registry-based studies in capturing real-world clinical practice.

[Adherence to treatment in the management of patients with multiple sclerosis]

Adherence to therapy largely determines the success of treatment interventions: low levels of adherence are associated with reduced treatment effectiveness. For many chronic diseases, the level of adherence to treatment is about 50% or less, which confirms the relevance of this topic and requires its research. The high costs of treatment, the need for long-term continuous use of drugs and the special socio-economic significance of a disease such as multiple sclerosis (MS) determine the importance of maintaining a high level of adherence to its treatment. An analysis of literature data on the concept of treatment adherence, methods of its definition and influencing factors was carried out, the values of the level of adherence in the treatment of MS, as well as measures to maintain it during the COVID-19 pandemic were considered. Increasing awareness of healthcare professionals about the problem of treatment adherence and ways to improve it helps to improve the efficiency of managing patients with MS. The paper considers the primary stage of the strategy to improve treatment adherence among patients with MS, namely the formation of expanded knowledge of the problem by specialists of a multidisciplinary team involved in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with MS.

Medication self-management toolkits for adults with multiple sclerosis: A scoping review

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that is often treated with multiple medications. Managing multiple medications, also known as polypharmacy, can be challenging for persons with MS. Toolkits are instructional resources designed to promote behaviour change. Toolkits may support medication self-management for adults with MS, as they have been useful in other populations with chronic conditions.

Objective

The main purpose of this review was to identify and summarize medication self-management toolkits for MS, as related to the design, delivery, components, and measures used to evaluate implementation and/or outcomes.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted following guidelines by JBI. Articles were included if they focused on adults (18 years or older) with MS.

Results

Six articles reporting on four unique toolkits were included. Most toolkits were technology-based, including mobile or online applications, with only one toolkit being paper-based. The toolkits varied in type, frequency, and duration of medication management support. Varying outcomes were also identified, but there were improvements reported in symptom management, medication adherence, decision-making, and quality of life. The six studies were quantitative in design, with no studies exploring the user experience from a qualitative or mixed-methods design.

Conclusions

There is limited research on medication self-management toolkits among adults with MS. Future development, implementation, and evaluation mixed-methods research are needed to explore user experiences and overall design of toolkits.

Medication adherence to disease-modifying therapies among a cohort of Jordanian patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a multicentre cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate medication adherence to oral and parenteral disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and to explore factors associated with medication non-adherence in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

METHODS

A cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted among patients with MS. Patients who attended outpatient clinics of neurology departments from three major referral centres were invited to participate in the study. Medication adherence was measured using the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Adherence Questionnaire.

KEY FINDINGS

A total of 319 patients with MS on DMT were included in the final analyses, their average age was 35 years and more than two-thirds (72.1%) of them were women. The adherent group comprised 46.7% of patients. The results of association analyses showed that factors that were associated with adherence level were female gender (P = 0.034), non-smoking/x-smoking (P = 0.007), school education (P = 0.019), unemployment (P = 0.006), history of previous DMT (P = 0.020), longer previous treatment duration (P = 0.008), and type of current DMT (P = 0.020). Among the non-adherent patients, there were significant differences between oral and parenteral DMT users in the importance of barriers to adherence (P < 0.001). Additionally, the degree of treatment satisfaction was higher in oral users than in parenteral users (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The adherence level was quite low. Gender, smoking status, education, employment status, history of previous DMT, previous treatment duration and type of current DMT were associated with medication non-adherence in our patients with MS. These factors should be considered when evaluating medication adherence, and the modifiable factors may represent potential targets for interventions to improve pharmaceutical care planning in patients with MS.

Relationship between cognition and treatment adherence to disease-modifying therapy in multiple sclerosis: a prospective, cross-sectional study

Less than half of patients with chronic diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), adhere to their prescribed medications. Treatment selection is essential for patient adherence. The aim of this study was to explore the potential factors influencing nonadherence to disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) in MS. This prospective, cross-sectional study was performed at the Multiple Sclerosis Center between 2018 and 2021. In total, 85 patients were eligible for final analysis. Forty-one patient (48.2%) with MS were non-adherent to DMT. Male sex, oral administration of drugs, and longer treatment duration were associated with nonadherence. The mean Expanded Disability Status Scale score did not differ between the adherent and non-adherent patients (p > 0.05). Patients with a higher score on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, who were receiving self-injection therapy, had shorter treatment duration, and higher disability, were more likely to be adherent to DMT than those without. To minimize nonadherence in patients with MS, the patient's information processing speed should be considered before DMT initiation, and appropriate treatment options should be discussed.

Factors affecting adherence to disease-modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis: systematic review

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) face challenges adhering to disease-modifying drug (DMD) treatment. Poor adherence to treatment reduces its clinical effectiveness which can adversely impact disease progression, MS-related hospitalisation, and mortality rates. Understanding the barriers to adherence is essential to addressing these issues in clinical practice and a consolidation of the literature had not yet been carried out. A systematic search was carried out using the electronic databases PsycINFO, and PubMed (Medline) using the search terms treatment compliance or treatment adherence and multiple sclerosis or MS. Studies included adults, with a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) (sample > 80% RRMS), taking a DMD. The studies used an adequate measurement of treatment adherence and analysed possible factors associated with adherence. A total of 349 studies were retrieved, of which 24 were considered eligible for inclusion. Overall adherence rates of the included studies ranged from 52 to 92.8%. Narrative synthesis revealed the most prevalent factors associated with adherence were age, gender, depression, cognition, treatment satisfaction, injection-site reactions, and injection anxiety. There was contradictory evidence for disability in association with treatment adherence. The findings should be used to inform the development of targeted patient support programs which improve treatment compliance. The review also highlights the opportunities for advancing research into treatment adherence in MS.

Adherence to Therapy in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis-Review

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, autoimmune, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). MS is an incurable disease. The goal of disease-modifying therapies (DMT) is to slow the progression of the disease, prevent relapses and increase the patient’s overall quality of life. According to the World Health Organisation definition, adherence means the extent to which a person’s medication-taking behaviour corresponds with the agreed upon treatment recommendations from a healthcare provider. Accurate adherence is necessary for efficient treatment. Non-adherence is related to unsuccessful treatments, the risk of relapses and increased healthcare costs. The aim of this study is to present the main factors relating to non-adherence in MS patients.

Bioequivalence of intramuscular and subcutaneous peginterferon beta-1a: results of a phase I, open-label crossover study in healthy volunteers

BACKGROUND

Peginterferon beta-1a administered every 2 weeks via subcutaneous (SC) injection is approved to treat adult patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). However, associated injection site reactions (ISRs) can lead to treatment discontinuation. Prior studies with interferon beta-1a reported a lower frequency of ISRs with intramuscular (IM) administration than with SC administration. IM administration of peginterferon beta-1a may therefore represent a useful alternative treatment option.

METHODS

A phase I, open-label, two-period crossover study randomized healthy volunteers to receive a single dose of peginterferon beta-1a 125 mcg administered IM followed by a single 125 mcg dose administered SC after a 28-day washout or vice versa. Blood samples were collected up to 504 h post dose to determine pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles. The primary endpoint was assessment of bioequivalence based on maximum serum concentration (Cmax) and area under the curve from time zero extrapolated to infinity (AUCinf). Other PK parameters, as well as PD (serum neopterin) and safety profiles, were also evaluated.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 136 participants. Bioequivalence of IM and SC peginterferon beta-1a was established for both Cmax ([least squares (LS)] mean IM/SC ratio: 1.083 [90% confidence interval (CI), 0.975-1.203]) and AUCinf (LS mean IM/SC ratio: 1.089 [90% CI, 1.020-1.162]). Other PK and PD parameters were similar between administration routes, although moderate to high inter-subject variability was observed for IM and SC. Safety profiles were generally balanced between IM and SC administration. ISRs occurred at a lower frequency with IM [14.4% (95% CI, 8.89-21.56%)] than with SC [32.1% (95% CI, 24.29-40.70%)] administration (p = 0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate bioequivalence between peginterferon beta-1a IM and SC and support the consideration of IM injection of peginterferon beta-1a as a viable treatment option in patients with RRMS and RMS.

Physician and patient preferences for dosing options in migraine prevention

Background

Adherence to a therapy, though a key factor for successful treatment, is low among patients with chronic conditions such as migraine. Dose frequency plays a major role in adherence. This study evaluated the impact of having flexible dosing options on acceptance of and adherence to a new migraine preventive therapy class among adults with migraine.

Methods

In this observational study, two 20-min online surveys were completed: one by physicians currently treating adult patients with migraine and the other by adults with migraine. Both surveys presented the participants with three scenarios: 1) only monthly, 2) only quarterly, and 3) both dosing options of the new medication are available. Physicians estimated the proportion of their migraine patients who would receive the new medication in each scenario. Patients were asked about their dosing preference when either or both options are available. Respondents were asked to rate the likelihood of their acceptance of and adherence to the therapy.

Results

400 physicians and 417 US adults with migraine completed the surveys. The availability of both dosing options yielded a significant increase in the proportion of patients expected to receive the new medication. The overall proportion of patients favoring monthly dosing (35%) was similar to the proportion favoring quarterly dosing (40%). Among those who preferred monthly dosing (n = 147), a greater proportion indicated they are more likely to fill the prescription (77% vs 56%, P < 0.05) and remain adherent (80% vs 57%, P < 0.05) when only monthly is available versus when only quarterly is available. Similarly, among those who preferred quarterly dosing (n = 166), a greater proportion indicated they are likely to fill (63% vs 55%, P < 0.05) and remain adherent (62% vs 54%, P < 0.05) when only quarterly is available compared with when only monthly is available.

Conclusions

Physicians anticipated that the proportion of patients to receive the new medication would increase when both dosing options are available. Patients stated that they are more likely to fill the prescription and adhere to the new therapy when their preferred dosing regimen is available.

Evaluation of the Adherence to Immunmodulatory Treatment in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

INTRODUCTION

In this article, we report the data regarding treatment adherence of a group of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and relapsing-remitting or secondary progressive disease who were followed in the MS outpatient clinic of Bozyaka Education and Research Hospital, Izmir.

METHODS

We collected the demographic data of 219 patients with MS who were treated with immunomodulatory drugs and the documentary data on the disease characteristics from the patient' files. Each patient was provided a detailed questionnaire regarding treatment adherence in addition to the Beck depression scale (BDS) and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT). Nonadherence was defined as the discontinuation of the drug, i.e., more than one dose a month for intramuscular interferon, six doses a month for glatiramer acetate, and four doses a month for subcutaneous interferons. Statistical analyses were performed using Medcalc statistics package. For those parameters with an even distribution, the paired samples t-test was used to compare the results.

RESULTS

Of the 219 [183 relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and 36 secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS)] patients included in the study, 143 patients were women and 76 were men. The mean age of the patients was 40.77±10.36 years. The mean expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score was 2.90±1.88, and mean annualized attack rate (ARR) was .65±.55. Of the 219 patients, 75.1% continued the immunomodulatory treatment. Thirty-three patients in the RRMS group and 23 patients in the SPMS group abandoned the immunomodulatory treatment. Treatment adherences were similar between patients with RRMS and SPMS (53%). Adherence revealed no correlation with age, ARR, PASAT score, and disease duration. However, higher EDSS and depression scores had significant positive correlation with adherence. Moreover, treatment adherence was noted to be lower in the group with higher education levels. Treatment discontinuation did not correlate with age, ARR, BDS, or PASAT scores. The disease duration and EDSS scores were found to be significantly correlated with treatment discontinuation.

CONCLUSION

In this extensively followed up patients' group with multiple sclerosis, the ones with extended disease duration, higher disability, and more educated had higher rates of treatment discontinuation and lower levels of treatment adherence. The patient-reported outcomes and well-documented treatment adherence data will contribute to the neurologists' understanding of the patients' inclinations regarding the injectable treatments and help in better management of the immunomodulatory treatments.

Monitoring medication adherence in multiple sclerosis using a novel web-based tool: A pilot study

Monitoring medication adherence in multiple sclerosis (MS) can be time consuming and expensive; however, non-adherence is common and is very costly in terms of lost therapeutic benefit and unused medications. To address this problem, we employed a web-based system to monitor and potentially modify medication adherence. Participants ( n = 30) were randomized either to routine care or to the MS Home Automated Telehealth (MS HAT) system. Weekly interferon beta-1a intramuscular (INFbeta-1a IM) injections and daily vitamin D adherence were tracked over a six-month period using multiple modalities: self-reported adherence, calendar diaries, pharmacy refill rates, blood serum levels, and MS HAT alerts. Weekly INFbeta-1a IM adherence was highly correlated across measures; however, vitamin D adherence was not as consistent. Healthcare providers were able to efficiently monitor adherence in a patient-centered way by using the MS HAT system to monitor adherence rather than employing chart reviews and phone calls. In addition, patients with more preserved cognitive function appeared to benefit more from use of the MS HAT system than those with cognitive impairment. While further research is needed to understand the differential effects of MS HAT on specific medications and for different individuals, it is a promising tool for monitoring medication adherence in patients with MS.

Adherence to Disease Modifying Drugs among Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Germany: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background

Long-term therapies such as disease modifying therapy for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) demand high levels of medication adherence in order to reach acceptable outcomes. The objective of this study was to describe adherence to four disease modifying drugs (DMDs) among statutorily insured patients within two years following treatment initiation. These drugs were interferon beta-1a i.m. (Avonex), interferon beta-1a s.c. (Rebif), interferon beta-1b s.c. (Betaferon) and glatiramer acetate s.c. (Copaxone).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used pharmacy claims data from the data warehouse of the German Institute for Drug Use Evaluation (DAPI) from 2001 through 2009. New or renewed DMD prescriptions in the years 2002 to 2006 were identified and adherence was estimated during 730 days of follow-up by analyzing the medication possession ratio (MPR) as proxy for compliance and persistence defined as number of days from initiation of DMD therapy until discontinuation or interruption.

Findings

A total of 52,516 medication profiles or therapy cycles (11,891 Avonex, 14,060 Betaferon, 12,353 Copaxone and 14,212 Rebif) from 50,057 patients were included into the analysis. Among the 4 cohorts, no clinically relevant differences were found in available covariates. The Medication Possession Ratio (MPR) measured overall compliance, which was 39.9% with a threshold MPR≥0.8. There were small differences in the proportion of therapy cycles during which a patient was compliant for the following medications: Avonex (42.8%), Betaferon (40.6%), Rebif (39.2%), and Copaxone (37%). Overall persistence was 32.3% at the end of the 24 months observation period, i.e. during only one third of all included therapy cycles patients did not discontinue or interrupt DMD therapy. There were also small differences in the proportion of therapy cycles during which a patient was persistent as follows: Avonex (34.2%), Betaferon (33.4%), Rebif (31.7%) and Copaxone (29.8%).

Conclusions

Two years after initiating MS-modifying therapy, only 30–40% of patients were adherent to DMDs.

Cost-effectiveness of glatiramer acetate and interferon beta-1a for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, based on the CombiRx study

BACKGROUND

To assess the cost-effectiveness of the Disease Modifying Treatments (DMT), Glatiramer Acetate (GA) and Interferon beta-1a (IFN) in monotherapy alone and in combination for the prevention of relapses among Spanish patients aged between 18-60 years old with established Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS).

METHODS

A Markov model was developed to represent the transition of a cohort of patients over a 10 year period using the perspective of the Spanish National Health Service (NHS). The model considered five different health states with 1-year cycles including without relapse, patients with suspect, non-protocol defined and protocol defined exacerbations, as well as a category information lost. Efficacy data was obtained from the 3-year CombiRx Study. Costs were reported in 2013 Euros and a 3% discount rate was applied for health and benefits. Deterministic results were presented as the annual treatment cost for the number of relapses. A probabilistic sensitivity analysis was performed to test the robustness of the model.

RESULTS

Deterministic results showed that the expected annual cost per patient was lower when treated with GA (€13,843) compared with IFN (€15,589) and the combined treatment with IFN+GA (€21,539). The annual number of relapses were lower in the GA cohort with 3.81 vs 4.18 in the IFN cohort and 4.08 in the cohort treated with IFN+GA. Results from probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that GA has a higher probability of being cost-effective than treatment with IFN or IFN+GA for threshold values from €28,000 onwards, independent of the maximum that the Spanish NHS is willing to pay for avoiding relapses.

CONCLUSION

GA was shown to be a cost-effective treatment option for the prevention of relapses in Spanish patients diagnosed with RRMS. When GA in monotherapy is compared with INF in monotherapy and IFN+GA combined, it may be concluded that the first is the dominant strategy.

Retrospective US database analysis of persistence with glatiramer acetate vs. available disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis: 2001-2010

Background

Long-term persistence to treatment for chronic disease is difficult for patients to achieve, regardless of the disease or medication being used. The objective of this investigation was to examine treatment persistence with glatiramer acetate (GA) relative to available disease-modifying therapies (DMT) for multiple sclerosis (MS) over 12-, 24- and 36-month periods.

Methods

Data from Clinformatics™ for DataMart affiliated with OptumInsight was used to identify patients using DMT between 2001 and 2010. Patients with 12, 24, and 36 months of follow-up were included. Persistence was defined as continuous use of the same DMT for the duration of follow-up regardless of treatment gaps. Regimen changes including re-initiation of therapy following gaps of 15 days or more, switching therapy, and DMT discontinuation were investigated. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the results.

Results

Cohorts of GA users with 12 months (n = 12,144), 24 months (n = 7,386) and 36 months (n = 4,693) of follow-up were identified. Persistence rates with GA were 80% for all time periods; discontinuation rates declined over time while switching increased modestly. In contrast, the full DMT-treated cohorts showed persistent rates of 68.3% at 12 months (n = 35,312), 53.9% at 24 months (n = 21,927), and 70.1% at 36 months (n = 14,343). As with these full DMT-treated cohorts, the proportion of GA users remaining on their initial therapy without a gap of 15 days or more decreased with length of follow-up. However, the proportion of GA users with a gap in treatment who re-initiated GA increased over time (64.4% at 12 months; 75.1% at 24 months, and 80.1% at 36 months) while those in the full DMT-treated cohorts re-initiated therapy at rates of only 50-60%.

Conclusions

Persistence rates for GA were 80% for the 12-, 24- and 36-month time periods in contrast with the full DMT-treated cohorts whose persistence rates never exceeded 70.0%. Although there were more gaps in therapy of 15 days or more with all DMT over time, the proportion of GA users re-initiating therapy increased with follow-up contributing to the steady persistence. Therapy persistence is essential to achieve the desired outcomes in MS.

Adherence to disease-modifying therapies and attitudes regarding disease in patients with multiple sclerosis

Although currently there is no cure for MS the course of the disease can be influenced by disease modifying therapy (DMT). For therapy to be sufficiently efficient, it is crucial that patients take their medication regularly as prescribed. Adherence describes the extent to which a patient acts in accordance with the prescribed timing, dosing, and frequency of medication administration. To date, there are no known data about adherence rates among patients with MS in Slovenia. We wanted to assess adherence in patients with MS, who are treated with first line DMTs and discover reasons for non-adherence. A number of 451 patients were invited to participate. They received two questionnaires via post mail. The adherence rate and putative reasons for non-adherence were assessed by the use of standardized self-report Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Experience Questionnaire (MSTEQ). Patients' attitudes regarding disease, therapy and relationship with their physician were assessed by another questionnaire. The analysis of results included 299 patients. Among the patients 18.5% missed at least one medication dose in the past 28 days. Patients taking Avonex were significantly more adherent then patients on other DMTs (p=0.005). Our study showed a higher then expected adherence among Slovenian patients with MS (81.5%). Our research did not confirm the influence of side effects or patients' attitudes regarding illness and therapy on adherence. However we found unexpectedly high percentage (71.8%) of patients belief that psychological factors are involved in MS aetiology.

Impact of prior treatment status and reasons for discontinuation on the efficacy and safety of fingolimod: Subgroup analyses of the Fingolimod Research Evaluating Effects of Daily Oral Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis (FREEDOMS) study

BACKGROUND

Fingolimod is a once-daily, oral sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator approved for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE

This post-hoc analysis of phase 3 FREEDOMS data assessed whether the effects of fingolimod are consistent among subgroups of patients defined by prior treatment history.

METHODS

Annualized relapse rate and safety profile of treatment with fingolimod 0.5mg, 1.25mg, or placebo once-daily for 24 months were analyzed in 1272 relapsing multiple sclerosis patients, by subgroups based on disease-modifying therapy history (treatment-naive; prior interferon-β or glatiramer acetate), reason for discontinuation of prior disease-modifying therapy (unsatisfactory therapeutic response or adverse events), and prior disease-modifying therapy duration.

RESULTS

Both fingolimod doses significantly reduced annualized relapse rate in patients that received prior interferon-β or glatiramer acetate, discontinued prior disease-modifying therapy owing to unsatisfactory therapeutic effect, were treatment-naive, or had prior disease-modifying therapy duration of >1-3 years (P≤0.0301 for all comparisons vs placebo). Fingolimod 1.25mg resulted in greater reductions in annualized relapse rate in patients that discontinued prior disease-modifying therapy for adverse events or had prior disease-modifying therapy duration of ≤1 year or >3 years (P≤0.0194 vs placebo).

CONCLUSIONS

Fingolimod demonstrated similar efficacy in relapsing multiple sclerosis patients regardless of prior treatment history. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00289978.

Facilitating medication adherence in patients with multiple sclerosis

This article reviews adherence to medication in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients from the perspective of nurse and social worker authors. It reviews data on patient adherence and offers practical, evidence-based strategies that health-care providers can use to facilitate adherence. In addition, it examines how emerging MS therapies may affect patient adherence and associated interventions. To promote adherence, interventions need to incorporate new and creative approaches. A proactive approach includes assessing patient needs and lifestyle before the start of medication and selecting the most appropriate disease-modifying therapy for each individual patient. Including multidisciplinary expertise and services in the treatment plan can be part of a comprehensive, holistic approach to helping patients and families. Optimization of health-care provider roles is likely to facilitate improved adherence.

Background information on multiple sclerosis patients stopping ongoing immunomodulatory therapy: a multicenter study in a community-based environment

Adherence to an immunomodulatory therapy still needs to be improved in MS patients. We analyzed the data of 396 MS patients of 40 German MS outpatient centers who had stopped an ongoing immunomodulatory treatment. Items analyzed were among others adherence data, reasons for the interruption and willingness to start a new therapy. It became obvious that 74.6 % of the patients made the decision to withdraw from therapy on their own. The most commonly mentioned reasons for the withdrawal were proven or putative lack of efficacy (51.4 %), side effects (58.1 %), and complaints of fatigue and depression. There was no difference concerning sex, duration of the treatment and medication taken. The expectations correlated with the empathy of the treating physician and the setting with MS nurses taking care of the patient. A total of 199 patients (51.8 % of the females, 48.9 % of the males) wanted to restart another IMT. Reasons for not wanting to restart were lack of conviction that a therapy may influence the disease (29.4 %), fear of injection (18.7 %), fear of bringing the disease to mind regularly (17.9 %) and doubt about the diagnosis (11.2 %). The results suggest that adherence is most effectively promoted by cultivating an appropriate and individual therapeutic setting for each MS patient on a medical, organizational and last but not least psychological level.