Adherence to the immunomodulatory drugs for multiple sclerosis: Contrasting factors affect stopping drug and missing doses

Abstract

Background: Long-term immunomodulatory drug (IMD) treatment is now common in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, predictors of adherence are not weil understood; past studies lacked lifestyle factors such as alcohol use and predictors of missed doses have not been evaluated. We examined both levels of non-adherence - stopping IMD and missing doses. Methods: This longitudinal prospective study followed a population-based cohort (n = 199) of definite MS patients in Southern Tasmania (January 2002 to April 2005, source population 226 559) every 6 months. Baseline factors (demographic, clinical, psychological and cognitive) affecting adherence were examined by logistic regression and a longitudina..