Factors that affect adherence of disease-modifying therapy in patients with multiple sclerosis

This study was conducted to investigate factors that influence adherence of disease-modifying therapy in MS patients. The study was conducted in Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, MS clinic between July 2016- February 2014 and 198 MS patients were included. Study was approved by the ethics committee and hospital administration and each patient. The average age of the participants was found 44±2.4; the most of them were female (77.8%), primary school graduates (40.4%) and married patients (72.2%). Patients reported that they had RRMS (93.4%), 35.4% took Copaxone therapy, the duration of diagnosis was longer than 10 years (%83.8). According to MDR (Missing Dose Rate) score of patients, %59.6 of patients were adherent, %40.4 of patients were nonadherent. Avonex were more adherent then patients on other DMTs (Disease Modifying Therapy). Married patients were more nonadherent than unmarried patients and there was significant difference between medication adherence and marital status (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between other sociodemographic characteristics and medication adherence (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between the characteristics of the disease and medication adherence except for forgetfulness, having another chronic disease, type of injection and treatment satisfaction (p>0.05). The "Memory problems" have been found the most reason of missing medication in nonadherent patients. Other reasons are; "Away from home and could not access my medication", "Side effects of injection", "Did not want taking my medication to interfere with activities". There was no significant difference between coping attitudes, fatigue and self efficacy level and medication adherence (p>0.05).