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Neurology and Therapy

Open Access 26-03-2024 | Multiple Sclerosis | ORIGINAL RESEARCH

REBISTART: Adherence of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis to Treatment with Subcutaneous Interferon Beta in the Context of a Patient Support Program

Authors: Matthias Schwab, Andrew Chan, Anna-Katharina Eser, Boris Kallmann, Dieter Pöhlau, Joachim Richter, Torsten B. Wagner, Christoph Grothe

Published in: Neurology and Therapy

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Abstract

Introduction

Treatment adherence is a critical success factor in the disease-modifying therapy (DMT) of multiple sclerosis (MS). The REBISTART study prospectively evaluated adherence in patients using components of a patient support program (PSP).

Methods

The 12-month non-interventional multicenter study examined the real-world adherence to subcutaneously (sc) injected interferon beta-1a (Rebif®). Patient-assessed adherence was measured by a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). Objective adherence data were obtained by readouts from the RebiSmart® injection device.

Results

Of 333 patients, 70.9% used the nursing service as the core component of the PSP. Self-assessed VAS-based adherence was stable over time at 94.0–96.3%. Similarly, MMAS score (maximum 4) was 3.8–3.9 at all visits, also reflecting high self-assessed adherence. In 269 patients using the RebiSmart® injection device, mean readout-based objective adherence was similarly high (93.0–98.4% throughout visits). At last available visit, VAS-based adherence was independent of participation in the PSP nursing service (93.1% with participation versus 91.7% without it).
Adherence was also independent of injection method or disease-related measures, including fatigue, depression, cognition, and quality of life. The most frequent reason for the premature discontinuations (38.7% of patients) was “change of treatment” (10.0%).

Discussion

We suggest that subgroups that may specifically benefit from PSP include patients who live alone, use multiple comedications, and are affected by cognitive impairment, depression, and/or fatigue. Further studies should investigate the potential usefulness of PSPs in these populations.

Conclusions

Very high adherence rates independent of the PSP nursing service over 1 year of treatment indicate that IFN beta-1a sc is an easy-to-use and well-tolerated disease-modifying drug.
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Metadata
Title
REBISTART: Adherence of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis to Treatment with Subcutaneous Interferon Beta in the Context of a Patient Support Program
Authors
Matthias Schwab
Andrew Chan
Anna-Katharina Eser
Boris Kallmann
Dieter Pöhlau
Joachim Richter
Torsten B. Wagner
Christoph Grothe
Publication date
26-03-2024
Publisher
Springer Healthcare
Published in
Neurology and Therapy
Print ISSN: 2193-8253
Electronic ISSN: 2193-6536
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40120-024-00593-x