Treatment adherence in multiple sclerosis: a survey of Belgian neurologists

Decoo, D; Vokaer, Mathieu

doi:10.2147/ppa.s91973

Cited by 9 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Hansen et al [22] found that 30-40% of MS patients were adherent to their treatment over a period of 2 years. However, higher medication adherence rates were reported by Menzinet al among MS patients, which ranged from 41 to 88% [23].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

Treatment satisfaction and adherence to medications among multiple sclerosis patients in Saudi Arabia

Alhazzani

Alqahtani

Alamri

et al. 2019

Egypt J Neurol Psychiatry Neurosurg

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Background: Despite the apparent benefits of disease-modifying drug (DMD) use among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, their rates of adherence are often variable and in some cases are quite low. Aim of the study: To assess medication adherence and its relationship with treatment satisfaction of MS patients in Saudi Arabia Patients and methods: Following a cross-sectional design, 598 adult MS patients were recruited from all tertiary care hospitals in all regions of Saudi Arabia. Patients' medication adherence was assessed using the Arabic version of the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8). Treatment satisfaction was assessed using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication. Disease severity was assessed using the Patient-Determined Disease Steps (PDDS). Results: The most used drug was interferon beta-1b (24.1%), while 18.7% were using interferon beta-1a and 17.4% were using fingolimod. Patients' mean PDDS was 2.8 ± 1.9. Only 9.7% were "adherent" to medication. Patients' adherence differed according to their educational level (p < 0.001), their currently received medications (p = 0.032), with those on Fingolimod having the highest adherence (17.3%). Treatment satisfaction was significantly higher among adherent patients (p < 0.023). The main reasons for changing prescribed drugs were the presence of attacks, i.e., response to treatment was substandard (41.8%) and the experienced side effects of used drugs (39.9%). PDDS differed significantly according to patients' treatment adherence only among those receiving interferon beta-1b, with higher mean severity score among those who were adherent (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Medication adherence among MS patients in Saudi Arabia is low. Higher adherence is associated with patients' higher education. The main underlying reasons for changing prescribed drugs are the presence of attacks, substandard response to treatment, or suffering the DMDs' side effects. Medication adherence is associated with higher treatment satisfaction.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

Treatment satisfaction and adherence to medications among multiple sclerosis patients in Saudi Arabia

Alhazzani

Alqahtani

Alamri

et al. 2019

Egypt J Neurol Psychiatry Neurosurg

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“…However, in order to achieve the intended therapeutic effect in the form of reducing the number of relapses, slowing down the progression of the disease, and reducing disability and the number of hospitalizations, the patient must follow the treatment recommendations, such as taking the drug according to the prescribed dosage and for the complete duration of the treatment. 6 – 8 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 17 , 18 It should be noted that sociodemographic factors may also significantly influence compliance; for example, people with lower economic status are characterized by lower adherence. 8 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adherence to disease-modifying therapies in patients with multiple sclerosis

Kołtuniuk¹,

Rosińczuk²

2018

PPA

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BackgroundMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory progressive demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. MS is one of the main causes of disability among young adults, and its management is a serious challenge for the healthcare system.PurposeThe main purpose of this study was to examine adherence to first-line disease-modifying therapy (DMT) in MS patients using the self-report Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Adherence Questionnaire (MS-TAQ).Materials and methodsThe participants consisted of 226 MS patients (166 women and 60 men) who were treated with first-line immunomodulatory DMT. This study used a questionnaire designed by the authors, which contained questions about sociodemographic data, and the Polish version of the MS-TAQ.ResultsThe overall adherence was 76.5% according to the first criterion (missed ≥1 injection or tablet). There were no statistically significant differences due to sociodemographic variables between adherent and nonadherent patients. However, patients taking Avonex® significantly more often belonged to the adherent group (P=0.042). The most frequently mentioned reasons why nonadherent patients forget to take the drug included the following: too busy in their daily activities, indisposition to take the drug, unwillingness to take the drug, interference with daily activities, and dissatisfaction with the drug. The degree of adherence among MS patients treated with immunomodulatory drugs is high; however, some patients do not take medications regularly.ConclusionDue to the utility of the MS-TAQ, the caregivers of MS patients are able to quickly and easily assess the occurrence of side effects, ways to cope with them, and the occurrence of barriers to taking medication.

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“…There are many international surveys evaluating the approaches of physicians to MS patients (3,4,5). However, very few of these studies were designed to question differences associated with the level of experience of physicians.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%