TY - JOUR
T1 - Nurses' perspective on approaches to limit flu-like symptoms during interferon therapy for multiple sclerosis
AU - Filipi, Mary L.
AU - Beavin, Jill
AU - Brillante, Raquel T.
AU - Costello, Kathleen
AU - Hartley, Gail C.
AU - Hartley, Kay
AU - Namey, Marie
AU - O'Leary, Shirley
AU - Remington, Gina
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Background: Several interferon beta (IFNβ) formulations are approved for first-line use as disease-modifying therapies to treat patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Systemic post-injection reactions, often termed flu-like symptoms (FLS), occur in approximately half of all patients treated with IFNβs and can affect adherence to therapy. These symptoms, which include pyrexia, chills, malaise, myalgia, and headaches, usually resolve within 24 hours or persist intermittently following each injection. Because FLS, which usually occur early in the treatment course and diminish over time, are a primary cause of nonadherence to IFNβ therapy, it is important to employ strategies that can attenuate these side effects. Methods: To identify interventions effective in limiting FLS, a panel of United States-based nurses with expertise in MS patient care was convened and a literature review completed. Results: Panel consensus was reached on specific interventions that can attenuate FLS. These prevention and mitigation strategies include dose titration, analgesia, and optimal injection timing, as well as other techniques that panel members have found useful in their clinical practice experience. Conclusions: These measures, in addition to effective patient education, will help to reduce the incidence of FLS secondary to IFNβ therapy, improve patient medication adherence, and positively affect long-term clinical outcomes.
AB - Background: Several interferon beta (IFNβ) formulations are approved for first-line use as disease-modifying therapies to treat patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Systemic post-injection reactions, often termed flu-like symptoms (FLS), occur in approximately half of all patients treated with IFNβs and can affect adherence to therapy. These symptoms, which include pyrexia, chills, malaise, myalgia, and headaches, usually resolve within 24 hours or persist intermittently following each injection. Because FLS, which usually occur early in the treatment course and diminish over time, are a primary cause of nonadherence to IFNβ therapy, it is important to employ strategies that can attenuate these side effects. Methods: To identify interventions effective in limiting FLS, a panel of United States-based nurses with expertise in MS patient care was convened and a literature review completed. Results: Panel consensus was reached on specific interventions that can attenuate FLS. These prevention and mitigation strategies include dose titration, analgesia, and optimal injection timing, as well as other techniques that panel members have found useful in their clinical practice experience. Conclusions: These measures, in addition to effective patient education, will help to reduce the incidence of FLS secondary to IFNβ therapy, improve patient medication adherence, and positively affect long-term clinical outcomes.
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U2 - 10.7224/1537-2073.2013-006
DO - 10.7224/1537-2073.2013-006
M3 - Article
C2 - 24688355
AN - SCOPUS:84898614240
SN - 1537-2073
VL - 16
SP - 55
EP - 60
JO - International Journal of MS Care
JF - International Journal of MS Care
IS - 1
ER -