Contributions
Abstract: EP1369
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Introduction: It is important to understand the factors associated with adherence to disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study evaluated real-world data on the association of patient demographic and clinical characteristics with DMD adherence.
Methods: Patients with MS (n=1112) currently being treated with a self-injectable or oral DMD from the US National Health and Wellness Survey or Lightspeed Research panel and its affiliates completed an internet survey between April and October 2015. Questions about demographics, disease severity and symptoms, treatments, health behaviours and comorbidities were included. The Multiple Sclerosis Rating Scale, Revised (MSRS-R) assessed self-reported quality of life (QoL). The Patient Determined Disease Steps scale assessed MS disease status/disability. DMD adherence was assessed using the four-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-4).
Results: Of 805 survey respondents meeting study criteria, 429 reported high adherence (MMAS-4=0) and 376 reported low adherence (MMAS-4=1-4). Bivariate analyses showed that, vs high adherers, low adherers were younger (45.4 vs 49.3 years; p< 0.001) and more likely to be obese (39.9% vs 28.9%; p=0.003), drink alcohol (69.7% vs 56.4%; p< 0.001) and smoke (20.2% vs 13.8%; p=0.032). Low adherers had higher self-reported rates of anxiety (29.0% vs 17.0%; p< 0.001), depression (42.6% vs 30.8%; p< 0.001) and fibromyalgia (4.3% vs 1.9%; p=0.047), and a higher number of comorbidities (2.92 vs 2.48; p=0.025). For MS disease status, low adherers had shorter time since diagnosis (10.7 vs 11.9 years; p=0.037); worse QoL (MSRS-R: 10.3 vs 9.0; p=0.002); greater medication use to treat MS symptoms of anxiety (28.5% vs 20.3%; p=0.007), depression (37.0% vs 28.9%; p=0.015), fatigue (29.3% vs 20.5%; p=0.004), nausea/vomiting (6.1% vs 2.1%; p=0.004) and pain (30.9% vs 24.0%, p=0.03); and a higher number of symptom medications (2.73 vs 2.37; p=0.040). Multivariable analyses showed that older age (odds ratio [OR]=1.035), normal body mass index (OR=1.695), less alcohol consumption (OR=1.718), fewer comorbidities (OR=1.261), greater disability (OR=1.161), improved QoL (OR=1.057) and fewer previous DMDs (OR=1.215) (all p< 0.05) were associated with high adherence.
Conclusions: In this real-world population, several modifiable patient characteristics were associated with adherence. Modification of risk factors for low adherence is important in the management of MS.
Disclosure: Jennifer Smrtka served on advisory boards for EMD Serono, Inc., Genentech, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Teva Neuroscience, and served as a speaker for Mallinckrodt, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Teva Neuroscience.
Lori Mayer served on advisory boards for EMD Serono, Inc., Teva Neuroscience, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Genentech, and served as a speaker for Novartis, Biogen, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Genentech.
Shaloo Gupta is an employee of Kantar Health, Princeton, NJ, USA. Kantar Health received funding from EMD Serono, Inc., to conduct and report on this study.
Amy L Phillips is an employee of EMD Serono, Inc., Rockland, MA, USA (a business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany).
Abstract: EP1369
Type: ePoster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Introduction: It is important to understand the factors associated with adherence to disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study evaluated real-world data on the association of patient demographic and clinical characteristics with DMD adherence.
Methods: Patients with MS (n=1112) currently being treated with a self-injectable or oral DMD from the US National Health and Wellness Survey or Lightspeed Research panel and its affiliates completed an internet survey between April and October 2015. Questions about demographics, disease severity and symptoms, treatments, health behaviours and comorbidities were included. The Multiple Sclerosis Rating Scale, Revised (MSRS-R) assessed self-reported quality of life (QoL). The Patient Determined Disease Steps scale assessed MS disease status/disability. DMD adherence was assessed using the four-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-4).
Results: Of 805 survey respondents meeting study criteria, 429 reported high adherence (MMAS-4=0) and 376 reported low adherence (MMAS-4=1-4). Bivariate analyses showed that, vs high adherers, low adherers were younger (45.4 vs 49.3 years; p< 0.001) and more likely to be obese (39.9% vs 28.9%; p=0.003), drink alcohol (69.7% vs 56.4%; p< 0.001) and smoke (20.2% vs 13.8%; p=0.032). Low adherers had higher self-reported rates of anxiety (29.0% vs 17.0%; p< 0.001), depression (42.6% vs 30.8%; p< 0.001) and fibromyalgia (4.3% vs 1.9%; p=0.047), and a higher number of comorbidities (2.92 vs 2.48; p=0.025). For MS disease status, low adherers had shorter time since diagnosis (10.7 vs 11.9 years; p=0.037); worse QoL (MSRS-R: 10.3 vs 9.0; p=0.002); greater medication use to treat MS symptoms of anxiety (28.5% vs 20.3%; p=0.007), depression (37.0% vs 28.9%; p=0.015), fatigue (29.3% vs 20.5%; p=0.004), nausea/vomiting (6.1% vs 2.1%; p=0.004) and pain (30.9% vs 24.0%, p=0.03); and a higher number of symptom medications (2.73 vs 2.37; p=0.040). Multivariable analyses showed that older age (odds ratio [OR]=1.035), normal body mass index (OR=1.695), less alcohol consumption (OR=1.718), fewer comorbidities (OR=1.261), greater disability (OR=1.161), improved QoL (OR=1.057) and fewer previous DMDs (OR=1.215) (all p< 0.05) were associated with high adherence.
Conclusions: In this real-world population, several modifiable patient characteristics were associated with adherence. Modification of risk factors for low adherence is important in the management of MS.
Disclosure: Jennifer Smrtka served on advisory boards for EMD Serono, Inc., Genentech, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Teva Neuroscience, and served as a speaker for Mallinckrodt, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Teva Neuroscience.
Lori Mayer served on advisory boards for EMD Serono, Inc., Teva Neuroscience, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Genentech, and served as a speaker for Novartis, Biogen, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Genentech.
Shaloo Gupta is an employee of Kantar Health, Princeton, NJ, USA. Kantar Health received funding from EMD Serono, Inc., to conduct and report on this study.
Amy L Phillips is an employee of EMD Serono, Inc., Rockland, MA, USA (a business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany).