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Updated: May 30, 2026
10:46
A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
Adherence to treatment in multiple sclerosis
R Santolaya Perrín1, M Fernández-Pacheco García Valdecasas, L Arteche Eguizabal
1Servicio de Farmacia, Hospital Universitario Príncipe de Asturias, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, España. msantolaya.hupa@salud.madrid.org
Summary
Multiple sclerosis patients show low adherence to beta interferons and glatiramer acetate treatments. Further analysis is needed to understand causes and implement corrective measures for better treatment outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease.
- Beta interferons and glatiramer acetate are common disease-modifying therapies for MS.
- Treatment adherence is crucial for managing MS progression and symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess treatment adherence in multiple sclerosis patients.
- To determine the rate of treatment withdrawal and identify its causes.
- To evaluate adherence to beta interferons and glatiramer acetate in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- An observational, longitudinal, prospective, national, multicentre study.
- Patients collected medication from hospital pharmacy departments.
- Adherence was measured as the ratio of dispensed to necessary drug doses over one year.
Main Results:
- 543 MS patients were included over a six-month period.
- Average adherence was 61.5% during the study period.
- Treatment withdrawal occurred in 6.26% of patients, primarily physician-directed.
Conclusions:
- Treatment adherence among multiple sclerosis patients is suboptimal.
- Physician decisions significantly influenced treatment withdrawal.
- Further research into adherence barriers and interventions is warranted.
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