title: Will new injection devices for interferon β-1a s.c. affect treatment adherence in patients with multiple sclerosis? An expert opinion in the Middle East.
abstract: Treatment adherence to disease modifying drugs (DMDs) in multiple sclerosis is sub-optimal. This, in turn, can affect patients' long-term responses to therapy. A key factor that influences treatment adherence is the need for self-injection of DMDs, which can be demanding and disruptive for patients, and difficult for those with cognitive difficulties or reduced manual dexterity. In addition, pain resulting from poor injection technique, and needle anxiety, may both compromise adherence. Changes to the formulation of interferon (IFN) beta-1a for subcutaneous injection that were designed to improve injection local tolerability, and changes in drug-delivery technology, designed to make injections simpler and more convenient for patients, were reviewed by a group of experts on MS in the Middle East. The group also considered the possible effects of these changes in drug delivery technology on patient adherence to IFN beta-1a s.c.
authors.affiliation: Hamad Medical Corporation, Department of Neurology Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar. doc_deleu@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deleu
authors.forename: Issa
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alsharoqi
authors.forename: Mohammed Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Al Jumah
authors.forename: Abdel Rahman
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Al Tahan
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bohlega
authors.forename: Maurice
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dahdaleh
authors.forename: Jihad
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Inshasi
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khalifa
authors.forename: Miklos
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Szólics
authors.forename: Bassem I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Yamout
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000523:psychology; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008877:Middle East / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology; D009339:Needles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000639:trends; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D012646:Self Administration / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a