title: Adherence to Long-Term Interferon Beta-1b Injection Therapy in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Using an Electronic Diary.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system requiring long-term treatment, which is often hampered by non-adherence to self-applicable therapies, provoking continued disease activity and health care system burdens. This study assessed the influence of a personal digital assistant (PDA) with diary function (n = 339 patients) on persistence and adherence to an interferon beta treatment regimen in comparison to a paper patient diary (n = 330 patients).
  
  
  
  Patients who recently started with subcutaneous injections of interferon beta-1b were recruited in this prospective, non-interventional, national cohort study for an observational period of 2 years after successful completion of the initial dose escalation.
  
  
  
  Therapy persistence as assessed by the drop-out rate within 104 weeks was about 50% in both study cohorts. In male patients, the drop-out rate was 10% lower when using a PDA compared to the non-PDA group. Use of a PDA with an injection reminder function increased adherence to the injection schedule (every other day) by a mean of 24.5 injections over 24 months in comparison to use of a PDA without injection reminder function.
  
  
  
  Persistence in this study was in the published range of observational MS studies. Furthermore, in male patients continuation of therapy might be positively influenced by use of a PDA, and both female and male patients might benefit from an integrated reminder function. In conclusion, electronic diaries reminding patients of upcoming injections can promote an improved adherence to MS therapy.
  
  
  
  ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00902135.
  
  
  
  Bayer Vital GmbH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Neuroimmunology Section, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
authors.forename: Uwe Klaus
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Zettl
authors.affiliation: Neurology, Immunology, and Ophthalmology, Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bauer-Steinhusen
authors.affiliation: Neurology, Immunology, and Ophthalmology, Bayer Vital GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Glaser
authors.affiliation: Global Medical Department - Real World Data Outcomes, Bayer Pharma AG, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Czekalla
authors.affiliation: Institute Dr. Schauerte, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hechenbichler
authors.affiliation: Clinic for Neurology and Palliative Medicine, Municipal Hospital Köln-Merheim, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Limmroth
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Neuroimmunology Section, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany. michael.hecker@rocketmail.com.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hecker
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D063868:Patient Outcome Assessment; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000068576:Interferon beta-1b
keywords: Electronic diary; Interferon beta-1b; Neurology; Personal digital assistant; Relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis; Treatment adherence; Treatment persistence