title: Adherence in multiple sclerosis (ADAMS): classification, relevance, and research needs. A meeting report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adherence to medical interventions is a global problem. With an increasing amount of partially effective but expensive drug treatments adherence is increasingly relevant in multiple sclerosis (MS). Perceived lack of efficacy and side effects as well as neuropsychiatric factors such as forgetfulness, fatigue and depression are major determinants. However, research on adherence to behavioural interventions as part of rehabilitative interventions has only rarely been studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a one-day meeting health researchers as well as patient representatives and other stakeholders discussed adherence issues in MS and developed a general draft research agenda within a focus group session.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The focus group addressed four major areas: (1) focussing patients and their informal team; (2) studying health care professionals; (3) comparing practice across cultures; and (4) studying new adherence interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A focus on patient preferences as well as a non-judgmental discussion on adherence issues with patients should be at the core of adherence work.
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center, Martinistrasse 52, Hamburg, 20246, Germany heesen@uke.uni-hamburg.de.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heesen
authors.affiliation: University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: Jared
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.affiliation: Hasselt University, Belgium.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Feys
authors.affiliation: Servei de Neurologia / Neuroimmunologia, Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalonia (Cemcat), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Jaume
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sastre-Garriga
authors.affiliation: Istituto Neurologico C. Besta, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Solari
authors.affiliation: Alantis Healthcare, USA.
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eliasson
authors.affiliation: MS Trust, UK.
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.affiliation: European MS Platform, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hausmann
authors.affiliation: International Organization of MS Nurses, USA.
authors.forename: Amy Perrin
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.affiliation: Queens University, Canada.
authors.forename: Miho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asano
authors.affiliation: European Patient's Forum, Belgium.
authors.forename: Kaisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Imonen-Charalambous
authors.affiliation: University Medical Center, Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Sascha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Köpke
authors.affiliation: Coventry University, UK.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Clyne
authors.affiliation: Section of Public Health, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bissell
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016903:Drug Monitoring
keywords: Disease-modifying therapies; adherence; multiple sclerosis; rehabilitation