Adherence to subcutaneous interferon beta-1a treatment using an electronic injection device: a prospective open-label Scandinavian noninterventional study (the ScanSmart study)

• Published in: Patient preference and adherence Vol. 12; pp. 569 - 575
• Main Authors: Pedersen, Elena Didenko, Stenager, Egon, Vadgaard, J L, Jensen, M B, Schmid, R, Meland, N, Magnussen, G, Frederiksen, Jette L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Zealand Dove Medical Press Limited 01-01-2018; Dove Medical Press
• Subjects: Adherence; Biological products industry; Biological response modifiers; Care and treatment; Clinical trials; Diseases; Influenza; Interferon; Interferon beta; International economic relations; Multiple sclerosis; Original Research; Patient compliance; Pharmaceutical industry; RebiSmart; Recurrence (Disease); relapsing remitting MS; subcutaneous interferon beta-1a; trial; Viral antigens; Denmark; United States; Norway; Switzerland; Germany; RebiSmart; subcutaneous interferon beta-1a; relapsing remitting MS; adherence; multiple sclerosis; trial
• ISSN: 1177-889X; 1177-889X
• DOI: 10.2147/PPA.S154417

Disease modifying drugs help control the course of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS); however, good adherence is needed for long-term outcomes.
To evaluate patient adherence to treatment with subcutaneous interferon beta-1a using RebiSmart
and assess injection-site reactions and treatment satisfaction.
This prospective, single-arm, open-label, noninterventional multicenter Phase IV trial included disease modifying drug-experienced mobile patients with RRMS. Adherence was measured over 12 weeks. Items 13-23, 35, 37, and 38 of the Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Concerns Questionnaire (injection-site reactions and treatment satisfaction) were recorded at 12 weeks.
Sixty patients were recruited (mean age 43.7 [±SD 7.9] years; 83% female; mean years since multiple sclerosis diagnosis 6.7 [SD 4.5]). Adherence data were obtained in 54 patients only due to technical problems with six devices. Over 12 weeks, 89% (n=48) of patients had ≥90% adherence to treatment. Most patients experienced mild influenza-like symptoms and injection-site reactions, and global side effects were minimal. Most patients (78%) rated the convenience as the most important aspect of the device, and most experienced no or mild pain.
RRMS patients treated with subcutaneous interferon beta-1a, administered with RebiSmart, demonstrated generally good adherence, and the treatment was generally well tolerated.