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Adherence to interferon β-1b treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis in Spain.

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.

SUBMITTER: Fernandez O

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3353967 | biostudies-other | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:BackgroundAccurate measurement of medication adherence using classical observational studies typically depends on patient self-reporting and is often costly and slow. In contrast, digital observational studies that collect data directly from the patient may pose minimal burden to patients while facilitating accurate, timely, and cost-efficient collection of real-world data. In Germany, ~80% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with interferon beta 1b (Betaferon) use an electronic autoinjector (BETACONNECT), which automatically records every injection. Patients may also choose to use a medical app (myBETAapp) to document injection data and their well-being (using a "wellness tracker" feature).ObjectiveThe goal of this pilot study was to establish a digital study process that allows the collection of medication usage data and to assess medication usage among patients with MS treated with interferon beta-1b who use myBETAapp.MethodsThe PROmyBETAapp digital observational study was a mixed prospective and retrospective, noninterventional, cohort study conducted among users of myBETAapp in Germany (as of December 2017: registered accounts N=1334; actively used accounts N=522). Between September and December 2017, users received two invitations on their app asking them to participate. Interested patients were provided detailed information and completed an electronic consent process. Data from consenting patients' devices were collected retrospectively starting from the first day of usage if historical data were available in the database and collected prospectively following consent attainment. In total, 6 months of data on medication usage behavior were collected along with 3 months of wellness tracker data. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze persistence, compliance, and adherence to therapy.ResultsOf the 1334 registered accounts, 96 patients (7.2%) provided informed consent to participate in the study. Of these, one patient withdrew consent later. For another patient, injection data could not be recorded during the study period. Follow-up of the remaining 94 patients ended in May 2018. The mean age of participants was 46.6 years, and 50 (53%) were female. Over the 6-month study period, persistence with myBETAapp usage was 96% (90/94), mean compliance was 94% of injections completed, and adherence (persistence and ≥80% compliance) was 89% (84/94). There was no apparent difference between male and female participants and no trend across age groups. The wellness tracker was used by 21% of participants (20/94), with a mean of 3.1 entries per user.ConclusionsThis study provides important information on medication usage among patients with MS treated with interferon beta-1b and on consenting behavior of patients in digital studies. In future studies, this approach may allow patients' feedback to be rapidly implemented in existing digital solutions.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03134573; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03134573.

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Adherence to interferon β-1b treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis in Spain.

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