Impact of adherence on subcutaneous interferon beta-1a effectiveness administered by Rebismart^® in patients with multiple sclerosis

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients (n=110)

Characteristic	Patients
Sex (%)
Male	33.6
Female	66.4
Age at start of treatment with Rebismart^® (years)
Median	38.8
Standard deviation	9.3
Evolutionary form of disease (%)
RRMS	93.6
SPMS	6.4
EDSS at start of treatment (%)
0–2	79.1
2.5–4	19.1
>4.5	1.8
Years since diagnosis
Median	10
Interquartile range	7.0–14.3
Treatment prior to Rebismart (%)
Interferon β-1a (Rebif^®)	59.1
Interferon β-1b (Betaferon^®)	6.4
Interferon β-1a (Avonex^®)	8.2
Glatiramer acetate (Copaxone^®)	4.5
Azathioprine (Imurel^®)	0.9
Fingolimod (clinical trial)	1.8

Abbreviations: RRMS, relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis; SPMS, secondary progressive multiple sclerosis; EDSS, Expanded Disability Status Scale.

Table 2 Treatment characteristics and adherence (n=110)

Characteristic	Patients
Dose of INF β-1a at baseline (%)
22 µg/three times a week	7.3
44 µg/week	10.9
44 µg/two times a week	2.7
44 µg/three times a week	79.1
Exposure period (days)
Median	979
Interquartile range	613.8–1,266.8
Doses administered
Median	325.5
Interquartile range	152.8–518.8
Total adherence (%)
Median	96.5
Interquartile range	91.1–99.1
Adherence first 6 months of treatment (%)
Median	98.7
Interquartile range	91.3–100.0
Adherence last 6 months of treatment (%)
Median	97.6
Interquartile range	91.1–99.8

Abbreviations: INF β-1a, interferon beta-1a; wk, week.

Figure 1 Distribution of patients according to level of adherence.

Note: Percentage of patients achieving different intervals adherence to treatment throughout the study period (n=110).

Table 3 Adverse reactions reported in patients

Adverse event	n (%)
Influenza-like illness	39 (35.5)
Injection site erythema	37 (33.6)
Nodules	14 (12.7)
Lipoatrophy	8 (7.3)
Injection site pain	7 (6.4)
Liver function test abnormal	6 (5.5)
Leukopenia	4 (3.6)
Depression	2 (1.8)
Abscess	2 (1.8)
Skin rash	1 (0.9)
Urticaria	1 (0.9)

Note: Percentages are based on the total number of patients (n=110).