title: Fostering adherence to injectable disease-modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis requires long-term management, often with disease-modifying therapies. Poor medication adherence, especially to injectables, can increase relapse and hospitalisation rates and consume healthcare resources. We discuss adherence definitions and terminology and its prevalence in multiple sclerosis (MS). Typical causes of poor adherence in patients with MS include: insufficient efficacy or tolerability, concurrent disorders, and consequences of MS (e.g., forgetfulness, depression, fatigue and poor motor skills). Ways to improve adherence rates are reviewed, focusing on interdisciplinary healthcare teams, good communication between healthcare workers and patients (and their families), ongoing support and digital tools to promote adherence. We consider open communication and continuing education to be key, and that MS nurses have a pivotal role in ensuring patients' adherence to MS medicines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, Multiple Sclerosis Center, University "G. d'Annunzio", Ospedale Clinicizzato "SS Annunziata", VII livello, Corpo A, Via dei Vestini snc, 66100 Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lugaresi
authors.forename: Maria Rosa
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Rottoli
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Patti
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010349:Patient Compliance
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b; D016899:Interferon-beta
keywords: communication; concordance; disease-modifying therapy; education; healthcare; multiple sclerosis; nurse