A Balanced Choice of Disease Modifying Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis
Cindy W Yoon, MD, Byoung Joon Kim, MD
Department of Neurology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an ongoing, subclinical and degenerative disease process, and early treatment prevent permanent damage. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of interferon(INF) beta therapy for MS. More than a third of MS patients discontinue IFN beta treatment within 5 years. Major reasons, is for non-adherence to disease modifying therapy (DMT) is perceived lack of efficacy high costs, and adverse effects. Lack of adherence leads to poor clinical outcomes; prolonged treatment with IFN beta has a demonstrated positive impact on delaying disability, and shortened therapy, lower doses or gaps in treatment have negative effects on outcomes. Appropriate use of DMTs can improve outcomes and delay disability that accounts for most of the remaining health care costs. Increasing the effectiveness of adherence interventions may have a far greater impact on the health of the population than any improvement in specific medical treatments.
Journal of Multiple Sclerosis 1(1):12-15, 2010
