Multiple Sclerosis
Conditions
Keywords
Multiple sclerosis, Rebif, Interferon beta-1a
Brief summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) and is one of the most common causes of neurological disability in young adults. Rebif is licensed in the United Kingdom for the treatment of relapsing MS and is given 3 times per week by subcutaneous injection. The Rebiject II device is an autoinjector which allows patients easier administration of their Rebif injections. Prior to treatment, patients receive training on the use of the device and its maintenance. Currently, all treatments for MS are injectable and require long term patient commitment. Rebiject has been developed to improve patient convenience and comfort but does require multiple steps to be carried out in order for the injection to be delivered correctly. Reports from our local call centre and nurse advisors suggest that inaccuracies of use with the Rebiject device are common. By raising awareness of the level of inaccuracy and determining which steps patients are most likely not to complete correctly, modified training programs or modifications to current subject training may be put into place to address these issues. It is also important to demonstrate the link between poor use of the medication device and increased relapse rates or increased injection site reactions.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Merck Serono Limited, UK
Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Have relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis and currently receiving Rebif treatment and using the Rebiject II injection device * Be under regular review by a MS nurse * Be aged 18 or above * Be willing and able to participate in the trial and to have provided written informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Receiving disease modifying therapy other than Rebif * Receiving Rebif but not using the Rebiject II injection device * Do not self inject * Are unable or unwilling to provide informed consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Percentage of subjects who correctly use the Rebiject II injection device based on reaching all correct injection steps as assessed by a nurse | up to 6 month |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Correlation with recent training within the last 6 months | up to 6 month |
| Correlation with disease control (relapse rate) | up to 6 month |
| Most common 3 steps for error with the Rebiject II injection device out of the ten step checklist | up to 6 month |
| Presence of injection site reactions | up to 6 month |
| Cognitive impairment | up to 6 month |
| Length of time on treatment | up to 6 month |
Outcome results
None listed