1
|
Gross RH, Corboy J. De-escalation and Discontinuation of Disease-Modifying Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2024:10.1007/s11910-024-01355-w. [PMID: 38995483 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-024-01355-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Long-term use of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) is standard practice to prevent accumulation of disability. Immunosenescence and other age-related changes lead to an altered risk-benefit ratio for older patients on DMTs. This article reviews recent research on the topic of de-escalation and discontinuation of MS DMTs. RECENT FINDINGS Observational and interventional studies have shed light on what happens to patients who de-escalate or discontinue DMTs and the factors, such as age, treatment type, and presence of recent disease activity, that influence outcomes. Though many questions remain, recent findings have been valuable for the development of an evidence-based approach to making de-escalation and discontinuation decisions in MS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert H Gross
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12631 East 17thAvenue, Mail Stop F727, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Administration Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - John Corboy
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12631 East 17thAvenue, Mail Stop F727, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Moghavem N, Castañeda GDR, Chatfield AJ, Amezcua L. The impact of medical insurance on health care access and quality for people with multiple sclerosis in the United States: A scoping review. Mult Scler 2024; 30:299-307. [PMID: 37698024 DOI: 10.1177/13524585231197275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the United States, health insurance coverage and quality mediate access to health care, a key social determinant of health. OBJECTIVE To perform a scoping review regarding the impact of insurance coverage and benefit design on health care access and both clinical and quality of life outcomes in people with MS (pwMS). METHODS Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines were followed. A literature search was conducted from January 2010 to February 2022. Included studies were in English, peer-reviewed, US-based, and evaluated elements of insurance and their relationship with access and quality outcomes for adult pwMS. RESULTS Our search identified 1619 articles, of which 32 met inclusion criteria. Privately insured pwMS were more likely to be on disease-modifying therapy (DMT). Increased out-of-pocket spending was associated with lower DMT adherence and greater discontinuation rates. Access to specialty pharmacy programs was associated with improved DMT adherence. CONCLUSION Health insurance coverage and design strongly influences health care for pwMS in the United States and may be a modifiable social determinant of health. Increased pharmaceutical cost-sharing is associated with declines in DMT utilization and adherence. Further study is needed to better characterize the impacts of other core elements of health insurance, including prior authorization requirements and step therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nuriel Moghavem
- Nuriel Moghavem Lilyana Amezcua Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Amy J Chatfield
- Norris Medical Library, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lilyana Amezcua
- Nuriel Moghavem Lilyana Amezcua Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Schauf M, Chinthapatla H, Dimri S, Li E, Hartung DM. Economic burden of multiple sclerosis in the United States: A systematic literature review. J Manag Care Spec Pharm 2023; 29:1354-1368. [PMID: 37976077 PMCID: PMC10776266 DOI: 10.18553/jmcp.2023.23039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple sclerosis (MS) is chronic progressive disease that poses a significant economic burden to patients and health care systems in the United States. We conducted a systematic literature review to provide up-to-date insights on the economic burden of MS in the United States. OBJECTIVE To comprehensively review and summarize the latest published evidence on the economic burden of MS with a focus on cost, resource use, and work productivity. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted using the Embase and Medline databases to identify studies, published between January 2011 and July 2022, reporting cost, resource use, or work productivity outcomes among people with MS in the United States. Clinical trials, economic modeling studies, and review articles were excluded. Details of eligible studies, including study design, patient population, and study outcomes for the overall population, as well as subgroups of interest, were extracted and summarized qualitatively. RESULTS Overall, 65 studies reporting cost, resource use, or work productivity data were included with majority of studies using claims data. The direct costs associated with MS ranged from $16,614 (2006) to $72,744 (2017) per patient per year with diseasemodifying therapies (DMTs) being the major cost contributors accounting for 43%-78%. The indirect costs reported ranged from $9,122 (2017) to $30,601 (2011) per patient per year with absenteeism, early retirement, and informal care being the key drivers for indirect costs. Costs, resource use, and work impairment were significantly higher for patients with severe disability compared with those with mild disability. Pharmacy costs were the major cost drivers in patients with mild, moderate, and severe disability. Similarly, patients with relapses incurred significantly higher costs, resource use, and work impairment compared with those without relapses. Additional hospitalization charges were the major driver of higher costs in patients who experienced relapses compared with those without relapses. CONCLUSIONS Direct costs, particularly DMTs, appear to be the major cost drivers for people with MS in the United States. Availability of lower-cost therapies may considerably decrease the economic burden on these patients and the health care systems. Future research focusing on indirect costs, intangible costs, and their contributors would contribute to further understanding of economic burden to avoid underestimation of the financial burden experienced by the patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Seema Dimri
- Novartis Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, India
- Sandoz Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, India
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Duchesneau ED, Kinlaw AC, Jonsson Funk M, Pate V, Lund JL. Trends in the use of disease-modifying therapies among reproductive-aged women with multiple sclerosis in the United States from 2010 to 2019. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2022; 31:481-487. [PMID: 35088492 DOI: 10.1002/pds.5411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that disproportionately affects women, with typical onset during reproductive age. Several disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are FDA-approved to slow disease progression, but are not indicated for use during pregnancy. Our objective was to describe trends over time (2010-2019) in monthly point prevalence of DMT use among reproductive-age women, overall and by generic name. METHODS This study used administrative claims data from the US during 2009-2019 to identify women age 15-44 with MS and continuous insurance coverage for ≥12 months. DMTs were identified using prescription fills and procedural claims for alemtuzumab, daclizumab, dimethyl fumarate, fingolimod, glatiramer acetate, interferon beta, mitoxantrone, natalizumab, ocrelizumab, and teriflunomide. Monthly prevalent use was defined as ≥1 days' supply of a DMT in the month. Age- and region-standardized monthly prevalence was estimated nonparametrically. RESULTS Among 42 281 reproductive-aged women over 818 179 person-months, DMT use increased from a minimum monthly prevalence of 49.3% (February, 2011) to a maximum of 58.7% (April, 2019). In 2010, prevalence of injectable DMTs was 43.1% compared to 2.5% for oral DMTs; by 2014, however, oral DMTs (26.5%) surpassed injectable DMTs (23.7%) as the most common route of administration. In the most recent data available (December, 2019), the most common DMTs were dimethyl fumarate, glatiramer acetate, and fingolimod. CONCLUSIONS DMT use among reproductive-aged women has rapidly evolved during the past decade. Collaborative treatment decision making between women with MS and clinicians may help optimize MS care and improve DMT uptake during reproductive years.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emilie D Duchesneau
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Alan C Kinlaw
- Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Michele Jonsson Funk
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Virginia Pate
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jennifer L Lund
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ng HS, Graf J, Zhu F, Kingwell E, Aktas O, Albrecht P, Hartung HP, Meuth SG, Evans C, Fisk JD, Marrie RA, Zhao Y, Tremlett H. Disease-Modifying Drug Uptake and Health Service Use in the Ageing MS Population. Front Immunol 2022; 12:794075. [PMID: 35095869 PMCID: PMC8792855 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.794075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence regarding the efficacy or effectiveness of the disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) in the older multiple sclerosis (MS) population is scarce. This has contributed to a lack of evidence-based treatment recommendations for the ageing MS population in practice guidelines. We examined the relationship between age (<55 and ≥55 years), DMD exposure and health service use in the MS population. Methods We conducted a population-based observational study using linked administrative health data from British Columbia, Canada. We selected all persons with MS and followed from the most recent of their first MS or demyelinating event, 18th birthday or 01-January-1996 (index date) until the earliest of emigration, death or 31-December-2017 (study end). We assessed DMD exposure status over time, initially as any versus no DMD, then by generation (first or second) and finally by each individual DMD. Age-specific analyses were conducted with all-cause hospitalizations and number of physician visits assessed using proportional means model and negative binomial regression with generalized estimating equations. Results We included 19,360 persons with MS (72% were women); 10,741/19,360 (56%) had ever reached their 55th birthday. Person-years of follow-up whilst aged <55 was 132,283, and 93,594 whilst aged ≥55. Any DMD, versus no DMD in the <55-year-olds was associated with a 23% lower hazard of hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio, aHR0.77; 95%CI 0.72-0.82), but not in the ≥55-year-olds (aHR0.95; 95%CI 0.87-1.04). Similar patterns were observed for the first and second generation DMDs. Exposure to any (versus no) DMD was not associated with rates of physician visits in either age group (<55 years: adjusted rate ratio, aRR1.02; 95%CI 1.00-1.04 and ≥55 years: aRR1.00; 95%CI 0.96-1.03), but variation in aRR was observed across the individual DMDs. Conclusion Our study showed beneficial effects of the DMDs used to treat MS on hospitalizations for those aged <55 at the time of exposure. In contrast, for individuals ≥55 years of age exposed to a DMD, the hazard of hospitalization was not significantly lowered. Our study contributes to the broader understanding of the potential benefits and risks of DMD use in the ageing MS population.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huah Shin Ng
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology and the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jonas Graf
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology and the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Feng Zhu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology and the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Elaine Kingwell
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology and the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Research Department of Primary Care & Population Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Orhan Aktas
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Philipp Albrecht
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Hartung
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Neurology, Palacky University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czechia
| | - Sven G Meuth
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Charity Evans
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - John D Fisk
- Nova Scotia Health Authority and the Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, and Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Ruth Ann Marrie
- Department of Internal Medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Yinshan Zhao
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology and the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Helen Tremlett
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology and the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Meca-Lallana V, Berenguer-Ruiz L, Carreres-Polo J, Eichau-Madueño S, Ferrer-Lozano J, Forero L, Higueras Y, Téllez Lara N, Vidal-Jordana A, Pérez-Miralles FC. Deciphering Multiple Sclerosis Progression. Front Neurol 2021; 12:608491. [PMID: 33897583 PMCID: PMC8058428 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.608491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is primarily an inflammatory and degenerative disease of the central nervous system, triggered by unknown environmental factors in patients with predisposing genetic risk profiles. The prevention of neurological disability is one of the essential goals to be achieved in a patient with MS. However, the pathogenic mechanisms driving the progressive phase of the disease remain unknown. It was described that the pathophysiological mechanisms associated with disease progression are present from disease onset. In daily practice, there is a lack of clinical, radiological, or biological markers that favor an early detection of the disease's progression. Different definitions of disability progression were used in clinical trials. According to the most descriptive, progression was defined as a minimum increase in the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of 1.5, 1.0, or 0.5 from a baseline level of 0, 1.0–5.0, and 5.5, respectively. Nevertheless, the EDSS is not the most sensitive scale to assess progression, and there is no consensus regarding any specific diagnostic criteria for disability progression. This review document discusses the current pathophysiological concepts associated with MS progression, the different measurement strategies, the biomarkers associated with disability progression, and the available pharmacologic therapeutic approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Meca-Lallana
- Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Neurology Department, Fundación de Investigación Biomédica, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Joan Carreres-Polo
- Neuroradiology Section, Radiology Department, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sara Eichau-Madueño
- Multiple Sclerosis CSUR Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena, Seville, Spain
| | - Jaime Ferrer-Lozano
- Department of Pathology, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Lucía Forero
- Neurology Department, Hospital Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Yolanda Higueras
- Neurology Department, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IISGM), Hospital Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Department of Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Processes and Speech Therapy, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nieves Téllez Lara
- Neurology Department, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Angela Vidal-Jordana
- Neurology/Neuroimmunology Department, Centre d'Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya (Cemcat), Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francisco Carlos Pérez-Miralles
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Medicine, University of València, Valencia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|