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Non‐adherence to interferon‐beta therapy in Swedish patients with multiple sclerosis
Author(s) -
Cunningham A.,
Gottberg K.,
Von Koch L.,
Hillert J.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2009.01285.x
Subject(s) - multiple sclerosis , medicine , interferon beta , disease , physical therapy , pediatrics , immunology
Cunningham A, Gottberg K, von Koch L, Hillert J. Non‐adherence to interferon‐beta therapy in Swedish patients with multiple sclerosis.
Acta Neurol Scand: 2010: 121: 154–160.
© 2009 The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Munksgaard. Objectives – To explore the occurrence and reasons for stopping, switching or continuing first prescribed interferon‐beta therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis in Sweden, with respect to demographic, clinical and/or therapy‐related factors. Materials and methods – A retrospective study reviewing the medical charts of 259 patients with multiple sclerosis, comparing patients continuing therapy for at least 3 years with those switching or stopping therapy. Results – Sixty 9% stopped (15%), or switched (54%), interferon‐beta therapy within 3 years. Stoppers had longer disease duration before starting therapy ( P = 0.002), less frequently relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis ( P = 0.046), and more often Expanded Disability Status Scale scores 6–9.5 ( P = 0.045) compared to Switchers. The most common reasons for switching/stopping therapy were perceived lack of effect and side‐effects . Conclusions – Adherence to initial immune‐modulating therapy is low; identification of patients at higher risk of stopping therapy and provision of adequate support are essential.