Contributions
Abstract: EP1667
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Risk management for disease modifying treatments
Introduction: Therapeutic inertia (TI) is a common phenomenon in multiple sclerosis (MS) care defined as the lack of treatment escalation despite evidence of disease progression. The consequences of TI include poorer patient's outcomes and diminished quality of life.
Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of TI in Argentina
Design: 117 neurologists with expertise in MS were invited to participate in an online study. Participants answered questions regarding risk preferences,management of 10 simulated case-scenarios commonly encountered in clinical practice and complications associated with disease modifying agents. TI was defined as lack of treatment escalation when evidence of clinical and radiological activity(8 case-scenarios). We created a score defined as the number of case-scenarios that fit the TI criteria over the total number of presented cases (score range from 0-8).
Results: Of 117 invited neurologists, 90 (76.9%) completed the study. The mean age (SD)was 46.4 (10.3); 47.7% were female neurologists and 34.4% were MS specialists.Overall, 36.7% of participants acknowledged some limitations to prescribe MS drugs. There was no difference on restrictions between specialists and general neurologists (p=0.28)
TI was present in 74.4% of participants in at least one case scenario. Themean TI score (SD) was 1.7 (1.4).Specialist were less likely to exhibit TI compared to general neurologists (GN) (mean TI score: 1.10 vs 2.02; p=0.003). The analysis of individual responses (total=720) showed similar results (TI 13.7% specialists vs 25.2% in GN; p< 0.0001).
Conclusions: TI is a common phenomenon in MS care affecting 7 out of 10 neurologists. Findings are similar as in a previous report from other countries.
Disclosure: FC: He received fees for consultancy and Advisory Board membership and fees for travel, academic conferences and research projects from Genzyme, Novartis ; Merck, Ivax, Roche and Biogen Idec.
MS: Received honoraria for attendance at Congresses from Biogen Idec. and Novartis. He also received honoraria as a speaker from Roche
MT: nothing to disclose
BS: received economic retribution for the development of educational, scientific activities and travel grants to Congresses of the following pharmaceutical companies: Biogen, Novartis, Merck, Genzyme and Ivax
GS: is supported by the HSF Career Scientist Award following an open peer reviewed competition.
Abstract: EP1667
Type: Poster Sessions
Abstract Category: Therapy - Risk management for disease modifying treatments
Introduction: Therapeutic inertia (TI) is a common phenomenon in multiple sclerosis (MS) care defined as the lack of treatment escalation despite evidence of disease progression. The consequences of TI include poorer patient's outcomes and diminished quality of life.
Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of TI in Argentina
Design: 117 neurologists with expertise in MS were invited to participate in an online study. Participants answered questions regarding risk preferences,management of 10 simulated case-scenarios commonly encountered in clinical practice and complications associated with disease modifying agents. TI was defined as lack of treatment escalation when evidence of clinical and radiological activity(8 case-scenarios). We created a score defined as the number of case-scenarios that fit the TI criteria over the total number of presented cases (score range from 0-8).
Results: Of 117 invited neurologists, 90 (76.9%) completed the study. The mean age (SD)was 46.4 (10.3); 47.7% were female neurologists and 34.4% were MS specialists.Overall, 36.7% of participants acknowledged some limitations to prescribe MS drugs. There was no difference on restrictions between specialists and general neurologists (p=0.28)
TI was present in 74.4% of participants in at least one case scenario. Themean TI score (SD) was 1.7 (1.4).Specialist were less likely to exhibit TI compared to general neurologists (GN) (mean TI score: 1.10 vs 2.02; p=0.003). The analysis of individual responses (total=720) showed similar results (TI 13.7% specialists vs 25.2% in GN; p< 0.0001).
Conclusions: TI is a common phenomenon in MS care affecting 7 out of 10 neurologists. Findings are similar as in a previous report from other countries.
Disclosure: FC: He received fees for consultancy and Advisory Board membership and fees for travel, academic conferences and research projects from Genzyme, Novartis ; Merck, Ivax, Roche and Biogen Idec.
MS: Received honoraria for attendance at Congresses from Biogen Idec. and Novartis. He also received honoraria as a speaker from Roche
MT: nothing to disclose
BS: received economic retribution for the development of educational, scientific activities and travel grants to Congresses of the following pharmaceutical companies: Biogen, Novartis, Merck, Genzyme and Ivax
GS: is supported by the HSF Career Scientist Award following an open peer reviewed competition.