DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       MS Speaks
  HTML https://msspeaks.createaforum.com
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       *****************************************************
   DIR Return to: COPAXONE, GLATOPA (glatiramer acetate)
       *****************************************************
       #Post#: 821--------------------------------------------------
       (CMSC) Patient experience and tolerance of new Copaxone dosing
       By: agate Date: June 7, 2015, 1:57 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Presented at the CMSC conference May 29, 2015:
       [quote]Patient Experience and Tolerance of New Glatiramer Dosing
       Lynda R Hillman, DNP , MS Center of Excellence, West, VA Puget
       Sound Healthcare, Seattle, WA
       Kathy Burgess, MD , Rehab Care Services, VA Puget Sound
       Healthcare, Seattle, WA
       Wendy Miller, RN , Rehab Care Services, VA Puget Sound
       Healthcare, Seattle, WA
       Background:
       Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Disease-Modifying Therapies (DMTs) have
       enabled many patients to benefit from reduced relapses, slower
       disease progression, and fewer brain lesions than experienced by
       patients not on DMTs. The number of new DMT options, both oral
       and injection or intravenous, has expanded in recent years. This
       is welcome news for both providers and persons living with MS.
       However, even the most efficacious DMT will not help patients if
       adherence is problematic or intolerable due to DMT side effects.
       Clinical trials may not show the extent of tolerability problems
       with a new DMT -- only post-market experience shows the full
       array of adverse effects.
       We describe the experience and tolerance of a new form of
       glatiramer acetate in a populations of veterans with MS in
       Washington State. Glatiramer, a first-line DMT, was originally
       approved in a 20mg dose given by daily subcutaneous injection.
       In 2013, the FDA approved a 40mg dose of glatiramer which
       required only 3 subcutaneous injections per week -- a reduction
       of over 50% in injection frequency from the original 7 per week
       regimen. It was expected that patients with MS would welcome an
       option which required fewer injections, and find it
       well-tolerated.
       Objectives:
       1) To understand and describe the patient experience of
       adherence to the 3 x week glatiramer.
       2) To identify both positive and troublesome aspects of this DMT
       regimen, in order to intervene and manage problems which
       otherwise might cause patients to self-discontinue DMT.
       3) To further analyze this patient-reported data for elements
       crucial to patient satisfaction and quality improvement.
       Findings will be used as we evaluate current and potential
       programs for ways to further improve care to veterans with MS.
       Methods:
       Chart reviews of veterans with MS taking glatiramer. May also
       include focus groups of these Veterans taking glatiramer.
       Results:
       Initial findings indicate approximately 25% of patients find
       the 40mg dose less tolerable than the 20mg dose. Increased
       injection-site reactions are reported. More concerning is the
       incidence, although small, of systemic reactions. Data
       collection continues through late April/early May 2015.[/quote]
       *****************************************************