Howard Zwibel
Tanzania
Research Article
Examining the Influence of Behavioral Factors on Compliance and Persistence with Glatiramer Acetate Injection for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis
Author(s): MerriKay Oleen-Burkey, Gabriel Pardo, Howard Zwibel and Douglas DenneyMerriKay Oleen-Burkey, Gabriel Pardo, Howard Zwibel and Douglas Denney
Objective: To evaluate the relationship between compliance and persistence with glatiramer acetate (GA) and
the behavioral variables in the transtheoretical model of change.
Methods: Patients diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and being treated with GA for the first
time, whether treatment-naïve (TN) or treatment-experienced (TE), were eligible for this prospective, observational,
12-week study. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained for each of 32 US study sites, and written informed
consent was obtained for all patients prior to study procedures. Four office visits were required. Study procedures
included baseline self-injection training and patient-reported behavioral variable surveys. Injection competence and
medication compliance and persistence were assessed at weeks 4 and 12.
Results: A to.. View More»
