Non-adherence to interferon-beta therapy in Swedish patients with multiple sclerosis.
OBJECTIVE
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.


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.
Cunningham
A
A
Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Neurology, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden. cunningham.anna@gmail.com
Gottberg
K
K
von Koch
L
L
Hillert
J
J
D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000379:methods; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013548:Sweden
D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016899:Interferon-beta