Purpose Adherence to disease-modifying treatments is essential in order to maximize the beneficial effects of treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). There are numerous treatments that have been approved. Treatment selection is essential in patient adherence. In addition, patient preference plays an increasingly significant role in treatment decision-making. This study aims to evaluate the degree of adherence, along with other variables that may influence this adherence, in Spain. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 157 MS patients with disease-modifying treatments. Adherence was assessed using the Morisky Green scale, and other related factors were measured using a questionnaire that addressed demographics, disease characteristics, global perception of pathology, impact of medication on patient’s life, and treatment decision-making. Results The adherence rate was 71% and was associated with the following variables: older age, more treatments received, time to diagnosis 5–10 years, absence of exacerbations, better cognitive status, being married/in a union, clear information about the disease, and higher treatment satisfaction. The main cause for non-compliance was forgetfulness (27%). Conclusion The adherence rate is acceptable. It is widely known that treatment satisfaction is related to adherence. In our study, patients’ level of satisfaction was higher with oral treatments. However, oral administration showed a greater lack of adherence. The main cause of lack of adherence was forgetfulness. In relation to other variables, cognitive status and family support showed a correlation with treatment adherence.

The quality of the revised apps is limited. Only one app complied with the excellence criteria, and over 50% of the apps did not exceed minimum quality standards. The worst rated aspects were political advertising and logical security.

Objectives. We assessed the prevalence of potentially inappropriate prescriptions (PIP) among older (≥ 65 years) people living with HIV (PLWHIV). Additionally, the secondary objective was to analyse the relationship between pharmacotherapeutic complexity and compliance with STOPP-Beers criteria associated with Top-10 drugs classes to avoid (TOP-10-A) of European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) guidelines. Methods. This was a cross-sectional observational single-centre study. PLWHIV aged 65 years-old or over on ART attending at hospital pharmacy outpatient service from December-2019 to March-2020 were included. Patients were classified by age group: 65-69, 70-75 and more than 75 years. Moreover, was analysed the relationship between pharmacotherapeutic complexity and compliance with STOPP-Beers Criteria associated with Top-10-A drugs. Results. A total of 19 individuals were included. Overall polypharmacy was observed in 16 PLWHIV (84.2%). A PIP included Top-10-A was identified in 9 (47.4%) PLWHIV. Benzodiazepines were the most prevalent group of prescribed drugs in 6 patients (30.0%). Complex patients were observed in 57.9% (MRCI index value greater than 11.25). Similarly, the sum of criteria STOPP-Beers was higher in older patients. Student’s t test showed the existence of a statistically significant relationship between pharmacotherapeutic complexity and sum of STOPP-Beers Criteria (p <0.05) in elderly PLWHIV. Conclusions. Prescription of PIPs is highly prevalent in older PLWHIV. Consistent with data, presence of PIPs were associated a presence of higher pharmacotherapeutic complexity and sum of STOPP-Beers Criteria. The basis for a new revised care plan for PLWHIV focussed on optimising overall patient care pharmacotherapeutic complexity and its possible consequences.

BACkgRound: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects more than 170 million people worldwide, and one-third of them have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection. Multiple studies have been conducted in order to identify the factors that may explain different responses to treatment among patients. However, the reasons why HIV-HCV coinfected patients have lower responses to treatment are not clear. In addition, no studies have evaluated the influence of the complexity of the therapeutic regimen for hepatitis C infection on clinical outcomes.

A high percentage of discontinuations due to adverse events and voluntary withdrawal was found, particularly early during treatment. Patients who may therapeutically benefit from this regimen, particularly naïve subjects, should be identified, and interventions to improve adherence and optimize recovery parameters should be implemented.