Treatment adherence and patient retention in the first year of a Phase-IIIclinical trial for the treatment of multiple sclerosis

The Purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between patient m anagement strategies employed by study Personnel, and patient retention and adherence to treatment in the first year of a Phase III clinical trial of interferon beto-1b for treatment of secondary progressive multiple sclerosi s (MS). Study staff from each of 35 sites were interviewed regarding patien t management practices. Sites which were rated as more empathetic, as insti lling a sense of purpose in the patient and promoting less formal relations hips with patients had high rates of adherence to treatment In addressing s pecific patient concerns, attention to patients' emotional status and patie nts' expectations of trial participation were related to better adherence.