Patients' Experiences in Transitioning to Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Qualitative Interviews.

Introduction: Critical gaps exist in the understanding of the continuum of multiple sclerosis (MS) progression, particularly with regard to the patient experience prior to and during the transition from relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) to secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) stages. To date, there are no clear diagnostic criteria in the determination of the clinical transition. We report here the use of patient experience data to support the development of a qualitative conceptual model of MS that describes the patient journey of transition from active-relapsing disease to progressive MS.

Treatment satisfaction significantly improves in patients with multiple sclerosis switching from interferon beta therapy to peginterferon beta-1a every 2 weeks.

Objectives: Posthoc analysis of treatment satisfaction in patients switching to subcutaneous (SC) peginterferon beta-1a in the ALLOW study.

Patients And Methods: Patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis treated with intramuscular interferon (IFN) beta-1a or SC IFN beta-1a or beta-1b remained on their current therapy for a 4-week run-in period, followed by a switch to SC peginterferon beta-1a 125 mcg every 2 weeks for 48 weeks. Treatment satisfaction was measured using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM), which covers effectiveness, side effects, convenience, and global satisfaction.