title: Acceptance of the extracare program by Beta interferon-treated patients with multiple sclerosis: results of the explore study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To gain full benefit from disease-modifying therapies such as interferon β-1b, patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) need to adhere to treatment in the long term. Treatment adherence requires high patient satisfaction with treatment and care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our aim was to evaluate the satisfaction of patients with MS receiving interferon β-1b Extavia with the patient care program Extracare. Efficacy and safety of treatment were evaluated as secondary objectives.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective, noninterventional 1-year study, data on the satisfaction of 174 patients with MS with Extracare were obtained by questionnaires. Disability and symptom severity as well as patients' reported activity limitations, quality of life, and fatigue were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We observed high levels of patients' satisfaction with MS nurses, telephonic care, and information provided by Extracare (values ≤ 1.53 on a Likert scale ranging from 1 [very good] to 6 [insufficient]). Patient reported quality of life (Patient Reported Indices for MS QoL) improved from 11.82 ± 11.36 at baseline to 9.74 ± 10.94 at the end of the study (p = .02), whereas clinical parameters of disease progression remained unchanged. Rate of adverse events was as expected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides the basis for further improvements of care programs to increase treatment adherence of patients with MS.
authors.affiliation: Matthias Freidel, MD, is a Neurologist and Psychiatrist at Neurologische Praxis, Kaltenkirchen, Germany. Sonja Ortler, PhD, is an Employee at Clinical Research Neuroscience, Novartis Pharma GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany. Questions or comments about this article may be directed to Alexander Fuchs, PhD, at alexander.fuchs@novartis.com. He is an Employee at Clinical Research Neuroscience, Novartis Pharma GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany. Sabine Seibert, PhD, is an Employee at Clinical Research Neuroscience, Novartis Pharma GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany. Katrin Schuh, PhD, is an Employee at Clinical Research Neuroscience, Novartis Pharma GmbH, Nuremberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Freidel
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ortler
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seibert
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schuh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000451:nursing*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012646:Self Administration / Q000451:nursing
chemical_list: D000068576:Interferon beta-1b