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Abstract

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation, gliosis, and neuronal loss;    the course can be relapsing-remitting or progressive.  Treatment with Disease modifying therapy may reduce the number of relapses, slowing down                 the progression of the disease, reducing disability and the number of hospitalizations.  AIM OF STUDY: To assess the adherence to medication and to know the causes of non-adherence to treatment in Iraqi patients with Multiple Sclerosis.  METHODS AND MATERIALS: Study included 178 patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis from Dr. Saad Al-Witry Hospital for Neurosciences for period started from December 2018 until December 2019. Statistical analysis was tested using Pearson Chi-square test. Statistical significance was considered whenever the P value was equal or less than 0.05. RESULTS: It was found that 69(38.8%) patients were adherent to treatment while 109 (62.2%) were not.  There was significant difference between the two groups in the treatment used (P=0.0001).              There were significant differences in non-adherent group between the treatment used in terms of adverse effects, treatment cessation by physician and unavailability of treatment (P=0.015, 0.001 and 0.0001) respectively. CONCLUSION: Two thirds of patients were not adherent to treatment, Most common cause was adverse effect mainly in interferon group, also inconvenience and perceived lack of efficacy reported in this groups, unavailable treatment is a reason for patient used Natalizumab, treatment cessation by physician especially  with Fingolimod because of side effect of drug.    

DOI

10.52573/ipmj.2023.182693

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