Acceptance of the Extracare Program by Beta Interferon-Treated Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

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. Objectives: 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.

Multiple Sclerosis Therapy With Disease-Modifying Treatments in Germany: The PEARL (ProspEctive phArmacoeconomic cohoRt evaluation) Noninterventional Study Protocol

“…Additional free-text fields asked for inpatient and outpatient care caused by MS relapses. Another question then asked if patients participated in nurse support programs such as EXTRACARE [ 42 ].…”

The Impact of Patient Support Programs on Adherence to Disease-Modifying Therapies of Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in Germany: A Non-Interventional, Prospective Study

“…Patients and healthcare professionals commonly consider PSPs to increase adherence. PSPs have been evaluated for their impact on persistence following treatment initiation or for patient satisfaction, mostly for single DMTs, and in different countries [26][27][28][29][30][31]. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether PSPs have a positive impact on adherence to DMTs supported for first-line treatment in mild-to-moderate RRMS in Germany across a spectrum of different therapies, independent of the treatment duration on DMT.…”

Enduring Clinical Value of Copaxone® (Glatiramer Acetate) in Multiple Sclerosis after 20 Years of Use

“…Such programs are particularly important during the first months following therapy initiation for injectable DMTs to minimize injection-site reactions and other side effects. In addition, these programs provide ongoing education and support for the duration of treatment, improving therapy adherence [126, 127]. These services are funded by pharmaceutical companies.…”