You are sticking with your devices

Willis H, Webster J, Larkin AM, Parkes L.An observational, retrospective, UK and Ireland audit of patient adherence to subcutaneous interferon beta-1a injections using the RebiSmart(®) injection device. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2014 Jun 12;8:843-51.

BACKGROUND:Poor adherence to disease-modifying drugs is associated with an increased risk of relapse in patients with multiple sclerosis. However, adherence is difficult to assess objectively. RebiSmart(®) (Merck Serono SA, Geneva, Switzerland), a device for subcutaneous (sc) injection of interferon (IFN) β-1a, features an electronic injection log that can assist in objective monitoring of adherence.
OBJECTIVE:To assess adherence to sc IFN β-1a injections using data from RebiSmart(®).
METHODS: This was a single-group, observational, retrospective audit. Adherence data were collected from patients with relapsing multiple sclerosisin the United Kingdom and Ireland who had been prescribed sc IFN β-1a and had been using RebiSmart(®) for a minimum of 24 months.
RESULTS: In total, 225 patients were included in the full analysis set; 72% were in the United Kingdom, and 28% were in Ireland. Overall, the mean age was 44.1 years, and 73% were women. Patients received sc IFN β-1a 44 µg (68%) or 22 µg (32%) three times per week. Mean adherence over the course of 24 months was 95.0% (median, 99.4%), and similar values were observed across all periods. The proportion of patients with 80% or higher adherence was 92.0% at 12 months and 91.1% at 24 months.
CONCLUSION: High adherence to sc IFN β-1a was observed across all patient groups using RebiSmart(®), according to 2-year treatment adherence data. This may be partly attributed to the expert support patients received, supplemented by routine and regular contact from the My Support patient-support program, as well as the self-motivation of patients who persisted with treatment for 2 or more years.

So 8% of people need to get more support to ensure they keep up the injections has this anything to do with support?

Roche J, McCarry Y, Mellors K. Enhanced patient support services improve patient persistence with multiple sclerosis treatment. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2014 Jun 11;8:805-11.

BACKGROUND: Subcutaneous interferon beta-1a (sc IFN β-1a) therapy (44 µg or 22 µg, three times weekly) improves relapse rates and disability progression in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS). While early treatment with disease-modifying drugs may maximize therapeutic benefit, patients with low adherence or long treatment gaps are at increased risk of relapse. MySupport is an industry-sponsored program that provides support to patients with MS who have been prescribed sc IFN β-1a in the UK or Republic of Ireland (ROI), via telephone and text messaging, website access, and (in some cases) face-to-face support from a dedicated MySupport Nurse. The aim of this audit was to assess if the MySupport program in the ROI could improve persistence to sc IFN β-1a therapy.
METHODS: Anonymized data were supplied retrospectively from the MySupport program, for ROI patients who were registered in January 2010 to receive sc IFN β-1a three times weekly. Patients were recorded as "new" at their first drug delivery; "active", if they continued to receive scheduled deliveries; "interrupted", if their medication delivery was halted; or "stopped", if no deliveries were made for 12 months. The number of "active" patients was recorded monthly for 24 months. Results were compared with data from UK patients with MS, who were receiving National Health Service (NHS) support only, or this support plus MySupport.
RESULTS: A greater proportion of ROI patients receiving MySupport (compared against UK patients receiving NHS support only) were on treatment at 12 months (87.8% versus 79.3%) and at 24 months (76.2% versus 61.8%). The odds of being on treatment were significantly greater, at all time points, for ROI patients receiving MySupport, versus UK patients receiving NHS support only (P<0.0001).
CONCLUSION:A personalized support program, utilizing one-to-one nursing support and additional support materials, can increase the probability of patients with MS remaining on disease-modifying drug treatment.

I guess the answer is yes

CoI None


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