[Global adherence project to disease-modifying therapies in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis: 2-year interim results].
BACKGROUND
In this article we report adherence data from the first 2 years in a subset of patients from the Global Adherence Project (GAP; n=2,648) in Spain.


METHODS
A questionnaire assessing adherence to Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), was distributed annually to patients and their treating neurologists. Non-adherence was defined as missing a DMT injection or changing a dose in the four weeks prior to completing the survey. Patients signed informed consent and Ethics Committees approved annual follow-ups, visit 1 (V1) and visit 2 (V2) in 15 out of 18 centres in Spain.


RESULTS
A total of 254 patients were enrolled in Spain. Patients had a mean age of 37.9 years and 70.4% were female, and had been on their treatment for a median time of 28 months, and the overall adherence rate was 85.4%. Patients taking intramuscular interferon beta (IFNB)-1a (Avonex®) were significantly more adherent (94.6%) compared with patients taking subcutaneous (s.c.) IFNB-1a 22.g (Rebif®22) (79.1%; p=0.0064), s.c. IFNB-1a 44.g (Rebif®44) (79.6%; p=0.0064) and glatiramer acetate (GA) (82.7%; p=0.0184). At V1 (n=142), the overall adherence rate was 86.6% and patients on Avonex® were significantly more adherent than patients on Rebif®22 (93.9% versus 66.7%; p=0.0251). At V2 (n=131), the overall adherence rate was 82.4% (Avonex®, 87.5%; Rebif®22, 80%; Rebif®44, 77.8%; Betaferon®, 85.2%, and Copaxone®, 80%) without significant differences.


CONCLUSIONS
Adherence remained high over the first 2 years of the study. It was highest with Avonex®, being significant on first assessment, after 40.5 months of therapy, on average compared with other DMTs and at year 1 compared with Rebif®22.
Biogen Idec Iberia, S.L., Madrid, España.
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Arroyo
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Grau
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Ramo
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Parra
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Sánchez-Soliño
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010455:Peptides; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a