Adherence to Disease Modifying Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis

Project Title: Adherence to Disease Modifying Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis Improving adherence to disease-modifying therapies (DMT) is a critical goal of MS research. It is the consensus of researchers and cliniciaris that DMT can reduce future disease activity and improve quality of life for many individuals with relapsing forms of MS. Researchers generally agree that individuals with MS should be treated with DMT as soon as possible after diagnosis and maintain treatment. Unfortunately, however, only 50% of all MS patients in the United States and 60% of those with Relapsing-Remitting MS are using DMT, and many discontinue therapy after brief treatment duration. This research is designed to explore this problem comprehensively by examining, among a large and diverse group of adults with MS, both the barriers that people face in long-term DMT maintenance, and the reasons that many people are able to maintain DMT despite these barriers. It is hoped that through better understanding of this situation we can help people to overcome these barriers, and promote long-term adherence for people with MS. This project includes collaboration with three regional chapters of the National MS Society.