Contributions
Abstract: EP1805
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Therapy - disease modifying - 32 Others
Objective: To assess the compliance and satisfaction in Irish patients taking fingolimod or relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
Background: Eleven disease modifying treatments are available in Ireland for the treatment of RRMS. Switching from one disease modifying therapy (DMT) to another is common in order to optimise treatment.
Methods: The Irish Fingolimod Nurse Service was launched in Ireland in July 2012. It offers first dose observation, patient education using motivational interviewing, blood and ophthalmology monitoring reminders and a free-phone helpline. Data was collected via a postal survey that was sent to 400 patients who signed up to the Nurse Service and who agreed to be contacted for follow-up. 167 patients returned a completed survey.
Results: 73.1% (n=122) of respondents were previously treated with another DMT, with 25.1% receiving fingolimod as their first treatment. In patients who were treatment naïve, the average time from diagnosis to initiation of fingolimod was 2.5 years (range:1-16 years), in patients who were previously treated with another DMT, the average time from diagnosis was 8.8 years (range: 1 - 41 years) Respondents switching to fingolimod from another DMT, mostly switched from an injectable DMT (iDMT) (76.2%), 10.7% switched from natalizumab and 9.8% switched from an oral DMT (teriflunomide or dimethyl fumarate). Lack of efficacy was reported as the most common reason for switching (60%). Respondents were treated with fingolimod for an average of 16.8±10.9 months. On a 100 point scale, patients who switched from a previous DMT scored their treatment satisfaction with fingolimod at an average of 87.5, while scoring their previous treatment, 45.8. Respondents who were treatment naïve scored their satisfaction at 86.4. 92.1% of patients reported that they remember to take their fingolimod tablet every day. The 7.9% who reported forgetting to take their treatment, missed 1.3 tablets per month on average.
Conclusion: Fingolimod is an option for RRMS patients switching drug modifying therapy with high patient satisfaction and significant rates of adherence.
Disclosure:
Niamh Murphy is an employee of Novartis
Ruth MacIver is an employee of Novartis
Emma Horgan is an employee of Novartis
Kate Tyaransen is an employee of Novartis
Abstract: EP1805
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Therapy - disease modifying - 32 Others
Objective: To assess the compliance and satisfaction in Irish patients taking fingolimod or relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
Background: Eleven disease modifying treatments are available in Ireland for the treatment of RRMS. Switching from one disease modifying therapy (DMT) to another is common in order to optimise treatment.
Methods: The Irish Fingolimod Nurse Service was launched in Ireland in July 2012. It offers first dose observation, patient education using motivational interviewing, blood and ophthalmology monitoring reminders and a free-phone helpline. Data was collected via a postal survey that was sent to 400 patients who signed up to the Nurse Service and who agreed to be contacted for follow-up. 167 patients returned a completed survey.
Results: 73.1% (n=122) of respondents were previously treated with another DMT, with 25.1% receiving fingolimod as their first treatment. In patients who were treatment naïve, the average time from diagnosis to initiation of fingolimod was 2.5 years (range:1-16 years), in patients who were previously treated with another DMT, the average time from diagnosis was 8.8 years (range: 1 - 41 years) Respondents switching to fingolimod from another DMT, mostly switched from an injectable DMT (iDMT) (76.2%), 10.7% switched from natalizumab and 9.8% switched from an oral DMT (teriflunomide or dimethyl fumarate). Lack of efficacy was reported as the most common reason for switching (60%). Respondents were treated with fingolimod for an average of 16.8±10.9 months. On a 100 point scale, patients who switched from a previous DMT scored their treatment satisfaction with fingolimod at an average of 87.5, while scoring their previous treatment, 45.8. Respondents who were treatment naïve scored their satisfaction at 86.4. 92.1% of patients reported that they remember to take their fingolimod tablet every day. The 7.9% who reported forgetting to take their treatment, missed 1.3 tablets per month on average.
Conclusion: Fingolimod is an option for RRMS patients switching drug modifying therapy with high patient satisfaction and significant rates of adherence.
Disclosure:
Niamh Murphy is an employee of Novartis
Ruth MacIver is an employee of Novartis
Emma Horgan is an employee of Novartis
Kate Tyaransen is an employee of Novartis