Contributions
Abstract: P915
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Economic burden
Introduction: Several studies of varying design and methodology have evaluated factors associated with disease-modifying drug (DMD) adherence in multiple sclerosis (MS); however, literature evaluating the influence of patient-centred outcomes on adherence to DMDs is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of patient out-of-pocket (OOP) costs and satisfaction with therapy on adherence to DMDs in patients with MS.
Methods: Patients with MS (n=1112) and 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. The survey included questions about demographics, disease severity and symptoms, treatments, health behaviours, and comorbidities. MS-related OOP costs for doctor visits, medication, and other costs were reported as monthly estimates. DMD adherence was evaluated using the 4-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-4). The Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) assessed satisfaction (i.e. effectiveness, convenience, and satisfaction) with current DMD.
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 no statistically significant differences in OOP costs between high and low adherers. TSQM scores for effectiveness, convenience, and satisfaction were significantly higher in high adherers compared with low adherers (all p< 0.05). The data were further delineated to elucidate if relationships could be uncovered with different adherence categories. Patients previously categorised as low adherers were re-categorised as either moderate (MMAS-4=1-2) or low (MMAS-4=3-4) adherers. New patterns did emerge with the increased granularity. Compared with high adherers, (newly defined) low adherers had higher monthly MS-related OOP doctor visit costs ($42.60 vs $23.75 for moderate adherers and $24.07 for high adherers; p< 0.05) and other OOP costs ($71.37 vs $42.34 for moderate adherers and $35.57 for high adherers; p< 0.05). Compared with high adherers, (newly defined) low adherers had lower satisfaction TSQM scores (44.53 vs 56.51 for moderate adherers and 57.26 for high adherers; p< 0.05).
Conclusions: In this real-world population, lower OOP costs and greater treatment satisfaction were associated with higher levels of adherence to DMD treatment.
Disclosure: Lori Mayer served on advisory boards for EMD Serono, Inc., Genentech, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Teva Neuroscience, and served as a speaker for Biogen, Genentech, Novartis, and Sanofi-Genzyme.
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.
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: P915
Type: Poster
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Economic burden
Introduction: Several studies of varying design and methodology have evaluated factors associated with disease-modifying drug (DMD) adherence in multiple sclerosis (MS); however, literature evaluating the influence of patient-centred outcomes on adherence to DMDs is scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of patient out-of-pocket (OOP) costs and satisfaction with therapy on adherence to DMDs in patients with MS.
Methods: Patients with MS (n=1112) and 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. The survey included questions about demographics, disease severity and symptoms, treatments, health behaviours, and comorbidities. MS-related OOP costs for doctor visits, medication, and other costs were reported as monthly estimates. DMD adherence was evaluated using the 4-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-4). The Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) assessed satisfaction (i.e. effectiveness, convenience, and satisfaction) with current DMD.
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 no statistically significant differences in OOP costs between high and low adherers. TSQM scores for effectiveness, convenience, and satisfaction were significantly higher in high adherers compared with low adherers (all p< 0.05). The data were further delineated to elucidate if relationships could be uncovered with different adherence categories. Patients previously categorised as low adherers were re-categorised as either moderate (MMAS-4=1-2) or low (MMAS-4=3-4) adherers. New patterns did emerge with the increased granularity. Compared with high adherers, (newly defined) low adherers had higher monthly MS-related OOP doctor visit costs ($42.60 vs $23.75 for moderate adherers and $24.07 for high adherers; p< 0.05) and other OOP costs ($71.37 vs $42.34 for moderate adherers and $35.57 for high adherers; p< 0.05). Compared with high adherers, (newly defined) low adherers had lower satisfaction TSQM scores (44.53 vs 56.51 for moderate adherers and 57.26 for high adherers; p< 0.05).
Conclusions: In this real-world population, lower OOP costs and greater treatment satisfaction were associated with higher levels of adherence to DMD treatment.
Disclosure: Lori Mayer served on advisory boards for EMD Serono, Inc., Genentech, Sanofi-Genzyme, and Teva Neuroscience, and served as a speaker for Biogen, Genentech, Novartis, and Sanofi-Genzyme.
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.
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).