Rates of Initiating Disease-Modifying Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis Remain Low

Research suggests that as many as 43% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) do not take a disease-modifying treatment (DMT) for the first 2 years of their diagnosis or longer. In a retrospective claims analysis using the IQVIA adjudicated claims database from June 2010 to June, 2017. 

A total of 63,946 persons with 2 or more diagnoses of MS were identified and their claims for disease-modifying treatments tracked over 2 or more years of follow up. Only 56.6% of these patients had a claim for a DMT. Further analysis showed that among those who did have claims for DMDs, switching from one drug to another was common with patients using a mean of 1.27 different drugs in the first 2 years after diagnosis.

Considering that guidelines recommend early treatment of MS, this research suggests it is important to determine why patients may not be using DMT early in the course of their disease as well as why and how decisions are made regarding switching drugs. 

This research was reported at the American Conference on Treatment and Research in MMS (ACTRIMS) conference in Dallas, TX February 28-March 1.