Patients create their own solutions to manage side effects
A comprehensive social listening study of organic discussions among thousands of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) offers a clear window into the real-world challenges that impact treatment adherence. The research, which analyzed thousands of patient conversations, pinpointed the primary drivers behind their decision to stop taking disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and strategies for mitigating side effects.
Presented at the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers 2017 Annual Meeting, the findings were significant. Patients cited adverse events (AEs) as the reason for discontinuing therapy. Those who continued adhering to the DMT shared their strategies for minimizing side effects.
This research reveals how the day-to-day experience of managing side effects can be an impactful factor in nonadherence. The social listening results also uncovered effective coping strategies to increase adherence. From suggestions to hydrate before an injection to eating certain foods before taking an oral medication, the community supported each other. This demonstrated the importance of community for creating better health outcomes for people living with MS.
See the full analysis and patient-developed strategies for managing side effects.
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