title: Adherence to interferon β-1b treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis in Spain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adherence to interferon β-1b (INFβ-1b) therapy is essential to maximize the beneficial effects of treatment in multiple sclerosis (MS). For that reason, the main objectives of this study are to assess adherence to INFβ-1b in patients suffering from MS in Spain, and to identify the factors responsible for adherence in routine clinical practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This was an observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study including 120 Spanish patients with MS under INFβ-1b treatment. Therapeutic adherence was assessed with Morisky-Green test and with the percentage of doses received. The proportion of adherent patients assessed by Morisky-Green test was 68.3%, being indicative of poor adherence. Nevertheless, the percentage of doses received, which was based on the number of injected medication, was 94.3%. The main reason for missing INFβ-1b injections was forgetting some of the administrations (64%). Therefore, interventions that diminish forgetfulness might have a positive effect in the proportion of adherent patients and in the percentage of doses received. In addition, age and comorbidities had a significant effect in the number of doses injected per month, and should be considered in the management of adherence in MS patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among all the available methods for assessing adherence, the overall consumption of the intended dose has to be considered when addressing adherence.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Carlos Haya de Málaga, Málaga, Spain. oscar.fernandez.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Agüera
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Agüera
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Izquierdo
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Millán-Pascual
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Millán-Pascual
authors.forename: Lluis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ramió I Torrentà
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Oliva
authors.forename: Joaquin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Argente
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Argente
authors.forename: Yasmina
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Berdei
authors.forename: Jose Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Soler
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Carmona
authors.forename: Jose Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Errea
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Farrés
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta