Contributions
Abstract: EP1342
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Introduction: Disease-modifying therapy (DMT) utilisation patterns in MS patients in the United States are readily available. However, currently limited data exist on treatment patterns among MS patients in Puerto Rico, a region with reported MS incidence rates higher than those observed in other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Aims: To describe treatment patterns in MS patients in Puerto Rico using a large, longitudinal database.
Methods: Retrospective, observational study using data collected between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2016 from the Special Care Pharmacy Services (SCPS) database. SCPS serves approximately 65% of DMT prescriptions for MS in Puerto Rico; the database includes information on patient demographics, DMT use classified by administration route (oral, injectable, infusible), and treatment duration. Baseline was defined as the most recent DMT prescription.
Results: 2070 MS patients received ≥1 DMT during the study period (67,412 prescriptions). From 2010 to 2016, uptake of oral DMTs (which were introduced to market in Puerto Rico in 2012) increased (0% to 28.4%), whereas that of injectable and infusible DMTs decreased (55.7% to 44.9%, and 44.3% to 26.7%, respectively). Over the study period, 1483 (71.6%) patients remained on 1 DMT type (injectables: 39.4%; infusions: 20.4%; oral agents: 11.8%). 587 (28.4%) patients switched DMTs at least once (449 [21.7%] patients used 2 DMTs, and 138 [6.7%] used ≥3 DMTs). Of those patients switching DMTs, the most recent prescriptions were for oral agents (55.5%), followed by infusions (27.3%) and injectables (17.2%). The most common treatment switches were from injectable to oral DMTs (36.3%), injectables to infusions (21.5%), and infusions to oral DMTs (19.3%). On average, patients were on injectables for 525 and 433 days before switching to oral and infusible DMTs, respectively, and on infusions for 737 days before switching to oral DMTs.
Conclusion: This study on treatment patterns in MS patients in Puerto Rico provides new insights in trends. Our findings indicate that injectables remain the most commonly used medications, despite the launch of oral and high-efficacy therapies. However, there is a trend toward increased oral DMT use. During the study period, patients were most frequently switched from injectable to oral DMTs. This study may serve as a useful resource for further MS research in Hispanic populations.
Disclosure: JC, MN, AO, and LH: Employees of Sanofi. HH and GJ: Employees of Special Care Pharmacy Services. STUDY SUPPORT: Sanofi.
Abstract: EP1342
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Clinical aspects of MS - Epidemiology
Introduction: Disease-modifying therapy (DMT) utilisation patterns in MS patients in the United States are readily available. However, currently limited data exist on treatment patterns among MS patients in Puerto Rico, a region with reported MS incidence rates higher than those observed in other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Aims: To describe treatment patterns in MS patients in Puerto Rico using a large, longitudinal database.
Methods: Retrospective, observational study using data collected between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2016 from the Special Care Pharmacy Services (SCPS) database. SCPS serves approximately 65% of DMT prescriptions for MS in Puerto Rico; the database includes information on patient demographics, DMT use classified by administration route (oral, injectable, infusible), and treatment duration. Baseline was defined as the most recent DMT prescription.
Results: 2070 MS patients received ≥1 DMT during the study period (67,412 prescriptions). From 2010 to 2016, uptake of oral DMTs (which were introduced to market in Puerto Rico in 2012) increased (0% to 28.4%), whereas that of injectable and infusible DMTs decreased (55.7% to 44.9%, and 44.3% to 26.7%, respectively). Over the study period, 1483 (71.6%) patients remained on 1 DMT type (injectables: 39.4%; infusions: 20.4%; oral agents: 11.8%). 587 (28.4%) patients switched DMTs at least once (449 [21.7%] patients used 2 DMTs, and 138 [6.7%] used ≥3 DMTs). Of those patients switching DMTs, the most recent prescriptions were for oral agents (55.5%), followed by infusions (27.3%) and injectables (17.2%). The most common treatment switches were from injectable to oral DMTs (36.3%), injectables to infusions (21.5%), and infusions to oral DMTs (19.3%). On average, patients were on injectables for 525 and 433 days before switching to oral and infusible DMTs, respectively, and on infusions for 737 days before switching to oral DMTs.
Conclusion: This study on treatment patterns in MS patients in Puerto Rico provides new insights in trends. Our findings indicate that injectables remain the most commonly used medications, despite the launch of oral and high-efficacy therapies. However, there is a trend toward increased oral DMT use. During the study period, patients were most frequently switched from injectable to oral DMTs. This study may serve as a useful resource for further MS research in Hispanic populations.
Disclosure: JC, MN, AO, and LH: Employees of Sanofi. HH and GJ: Employees of Special Care Pharmacy Services. STUDY SUPPORT: Sanofi.