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Tuesday, September 07, 2010

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Issue 23 (2009)

Download MS Scan Issue 23 (2009)

Featured in this issue of MS Scan are summaries of recent studies aiming to improve injection experiences with the self-administered MS therapies. One study addresses the import of injection anxiety as a barrier to long-term adherence with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). A round-up from the 2009 Consortium of MS Centers (CMSC) meeting describes reports about thinner needles and the role of nurses in DMT education. Finally, 2 “modern-era” MS studies that compare interferon β and glatiramer acetate are reviewed.

Barriers to Long-Term Maintenance of Care: Injection Anxiety
Among individuals newly prescribed a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for MS, higher levels of injection anxiety have been associated with lower rates of self-injection and poorer adherence to therapy. A new study explores the question of injection anxiety among established DMT users and finds that sustained adherence to DMT remains challenging for some patients well beyond the initial phase of therapy. The authors note that injection anxiety can be modified through a number of interventions, including education, practice, and cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Improving Injection Experiences: A Round-Up From CMSC 2009
Several reports from the annual CMSC meeting that took place in Atlanta this past May focused on technical and educational approaches to enhance the experience of self-injected DMTs. Two studies focused on positive patient response to thinner needles that are now available for injecting glatiramer acetate and interferon β-1b. Another study, consisting of patient feedback, reinforced the important role that nurses play in educating patients about DMTs.

Assessing Two �Modern-Era� MS Studies
A review of recent publications assesses 2 head-to-head trials comparing interferon β versus glatiramer acetate in treating relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). The REGARD study compared subcutaneous interferon β-1a with glatiramer acetate in patients with RRMS; the BECOME study compared glatiramer acetate with interferon β-1b in patients with RRMS or clinically isolated syndrome. These studies have shown that DMTs are �more similar than different� and that first-line MS therapy decisions should be guided more by adverse effects and patient convenience than by slight potential differences in efficacy.

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