Persistence with and adherence to fingolimod compared with other disease-modifying therapies for the treatment of multiple sclerosis: a retrospective US claims database analysis

• DOI: 10.3111/13696998.2014.940422
• Publication Date: 2014-07-23T12:55:28Z
• Authors: Niklas Bergvall; Allison A. Petrilla; Swapna U. Karkare; Raquel Lahoz; Neetu Agashivala; Ashish Pradhan; Gorana Capkun; Charles Makin; Catherine Balders...; Jonathan R. Korn
• Keywords: Persistence (discontinuity); Medication Adherence; Natalizumab

Achieving therapeutic goals in multiple sclerosis (MS) requires strict adherence to treatment schedules. This retrospective study analyzed persistence with, and to, fingolimod compared with injectable/infusible disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) patients MS.Patients the PharMetrics Plus™ US administrative claims database at least one prescription for, or administration of, fingolimod, glatiramer acetate (GA), interferon (IFN), natalizumab (index DMT) between October 1, 2010 September 30, 2011 were included. Patients naïve index DMT (no claim previous 360 days) had an MS diagnosis code within days of first prescription. Outcomes persistence, risk discontinuing (evaluated by a Cox proportional hazards model), (measured using medication possession ratio [MPR] proportion covered [PDC] two prescriptions), being non-adherent (MPR <80% PDC <80%, assessed logistic regression model).The included 3750 (fingolimod, n = 889; GA, 1233; any IFN, 1341; natalizumab, 287). Discontinuation rates 27.9%; 39.5%; 43.7%; all p < 0.001) discontinuation significantly higher (hazard ratios vs [95% confidence interval]: 1.75 [1.49-2.07]; 2.01 [1.71-2.37]; 1.53 [1.22-1.91]) for receiving other DMTs fingolimod. The was also lower cohort than cohorts, irrespective whether non-adherence defined as MPR (p 0.05 all) GA IFN).As studies assessing real-world patterns it is unclear if medications used prescribed.In setting, oral injectable infusible DMTs.