gms | German Medical Science

Kongress Medizin und Gesellschaft 2007

17. bis 21.09.2007, Augsburg

Immunomodulating drugs in Multiple Sclerosis: What kind of administration do MS patients prefer?

Meeting Abstract

  • Sabine Twork - Medizinische Fakultät der TU Dresden, Public health, Dresden
  • Ilona Nippert - Deutsche Multiple Sklerose Gesellschaft, Berlin
  • Peter Scherer
  • Judith Haas - Jüdisches Krankenhaus Berlin, Berlin
  • Dieter Pöhlau - Kamillus-Klinik Asbach, Asbach
  • Joachim Kugler - Medizinische Fakultät der TU Dresden, Public health, Dresden

Kongress Medizin und Gesellschaft 2007. Augsburg, 17.-21.09.2007. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2007. Doc07gmds728

Die elektronische Version dieses Artikels ist vollständig und ist verfügbar unter: http://www.egms.de/de/meetings/gmds2007/07gmds728.shtml

Veröffentlicht: 6. September 2007

© 2007 Twork et al.
Dieser Artikel ist ein Open Access-Artikel und steht unter den Creative Commons Lizenzbedingungen (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.de). Er darf vervielfältigt, verbreitet und öffentlich zugänglich gemacht werden, vorausgesetzt dass Autor und Quelle genannt werden.


Gliederung

Text

Objective: We conducted a survey in an urban Multiple sclerosis (MS) population in Germany due to the lack of information concerning preferences in the administrations of immunomodulating drugs (IMDs).

Method: An anonymous standardised questionnaire was sent to 1985 members of the Berlin section of the German Multiple Sclerosis Association. Questions concerned sociodemographic data, MS related topics, therapy, compliance, treatment preferences, therapists and quality of life (MSQOL-54). Response rate was 51.1% (n=1015).

Results: If efficacy and side effects were similar among the groups, most participants would prefer an oral administration of IMDs in contrast to nasal, intravenous, subcutaneous or intramuscular administration. However, not only the type of administration but also the balance of efficacy and side effects are important, hence when comparing tablets to injections patients would rather choose a tablet which is more effective even if there are more adverse effects. On the other hand, patients would rather choose an injection if it is more efficient assuming equal adverse effects or if it has less side effects assuming equal efficacy. The experience with each current medication also seems to influence the preference for an oral administration.

Conclusion: Treating MS is a challenge. Cure is not possible, yet disease-modifying drugs are opportunities to positively influence the course of the disease if administered in a constant manner. To achieve such, the compliance must be reassured through medicaments that are balanced and advantageous in terms of administration, side effects and efficacy. These findings should be considered when tailoring drugs to MS patients, aiming to improve the compliance and outcome in these patients.