Factors associated with the initiation of high-efficacy disease-modifying agents over moderate-efficacy disease-modifying agents in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Background

With multiple treatment options, choosing the initial disease-modifying agent (DMA) could be crucial to managing multiple sclerosis (MS). Common treatment strategies recommend starting patients with moderate-efficacy disease-modifying agents (meDMAs), while others advocate initiating high-efficacy disease-modifying agents (heDMAs). However, limited real-world evidence exists regarding the factors associated with utilizing differing treatment strategies in the MS.

Objective

This study evaluated the factors associated with the initiation of heDMAs in comparison to meDMAs among patients with MS.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Merative MarketScan Commercial Claims Database. Adult (18–64 years) MS patients with ≥1 DMA prescription were identified from 2016 to 2019. Patients were classified as incident heDMA or meDMA users based on their earliest DMA prescription, with a 12-month washout period. All covariates were measured during the 12-month baseline before the index DMA date. A multivariable logistic regression model, guided by the Andersen Behavioral Model, was applied to examine the predisposing, enabling, and need factors associated with using heDMAs over meDMAs.

Results

There were 10,003 eligible MS patients, with the majority of users being female (74.92 %), middle-aged adults (35–54 years, 58.97 %), and enrolled in the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO, 53.10 %) healthcare plan. Overall, 2293 (22.92 %) MS patients initiated heDMAs. The multivariable logistic regression model revealed that male patients (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.46, 95 % Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.30–1.64) had higher odds of initiating heDMAs. Meanwhile, patients with bladder dysfunction medications (aOR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.21-1.61), fatigue medications (aOR: 1.77, 95 %CI: 1.44–2.17), and impaired walking (aOR: 1.62, 95 %CI: 1.42–1.86) were more likely to initiate treatment with heDMAs. In contrast, patients with higher Elixhauser comorbidities scores, sensory symptoms (aOR: 0.47, 95 %CI: 0.42–0.53), visual symptoms (aOR: 0.63, 95 %CI: 0.54–0.73), and brainstem symptoms (aOR: 0.81, 95 %CI: 0.67–0.97) were less likely to be prescribed with heDMAs.

Conclusion

The study found that approximately one in four MS patients initiated heDMAs. Both demographic and clinical factors influenced the selection of heDMA. More work is needed to understand the differential value of selecting heDMAs over meDMAs for personalizing DMA treatment.