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Published on: December 9, 2015
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Medication adherence/persistence among patients with active multiple sclerosis in Finland
Sanni Lahdenperä1, Merja Soilu-Hänninen2, Hanna-Maija Kuusisto3,4
1Biogen Finland Oy, Espoo, Finland.
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|June 20, 2020
Summary
Oral disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) demonstrated higher adherence and persistence compared to injectable DMTs in Finnish multiple sclerosis patients. This finding highlights the improved treatment experience with oral formulations for managing active MS.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) management relies on disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) to control disease activity.
- Understanding patient adherence and persistence is crucial for optimizing long-term treatment outcomes in MS.
- Treatment patterns and adherence vary significantly across different DMTs and patient demographics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate adherence, persistence, and treatment patterns among Finnish patients with active MS treated with specific DMTs between 2005 and 2018.
- To compare adherence and persistence rates between oral and injectable DMTs.
- To identify factors influencing adherence and persistence in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 7474 MS patients was identified from the Finnish Social Insurance Institution's Drug Prescription Register.
- Adherence was assessed using Proportion of Days Covered (PDC ≥0.8).
- Time to non-persistence was analyzed using time-to-event methodology, considering treatment gaps (≥90 days) or switches.
Main Results:
- Oral DMTs, teriflunomide and delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (DMF), showed higher adherence (91.7% and 86.9%, respectively) than injectable glatiramer acetate (GA) and beta-interferons (78.4% and 81.3%).
- Teriflunomide and DMF also demonstrated greater persistence, with older patients and males being more likely to persist.
- Adherence was influenced by age, DMT type, year of treatment initiation, sex, and hospital district.
Conclusions:
- Oral DMTs are associated with superior adherence and persistence compared to injectable DMTs in the Finnish MS population.
- These findings suggest a potential benefit of oral formulations in improving long-term treatment engagement for active MS.
- Treatment strategies should consider patient-specific factors and formulation type to enhance adherence and persistence.
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