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Zaheer R, Amin R, Riddick L, Roy S, Wolff S, Nathanson A, Newsome S. Impact of COVID-19 on prescribing patterns and treatment selection of disease modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2023; 71:104575. [PMID: 36857853 PMCID: PMC9924032 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2023.104575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Certain classes of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease modifying therapies (DMTs) have been associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19, resulting in prescribers considering changes in their practice habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study assessed for differences in prescribing patterns of DMTs along with the reason(s) for modification of therapy over time. METHODS A retrospective review of medical records at Johns Hopkins Health System was performed. The timeframe of the study, April 2019 to December 2021, was divided into three subcategories: pre-pandemic (April 2019-March 2020), pre-vaccine availability (April 2020-March 2021), and post-vaccine availability (April 2021-December 2021). Patients were identified through dispense reports from the pharmacy dispensing system, and prescribing report from the health-system electronic health record (EHR). The health-system EHR was also utilized to conduct chart reviews for a subset of patients that had a modification in their therapy during the specified timeframes. The study included adult patients that were prescribed at least one DMT through the Johns Hopkins Pharmacy Services during the study timeframe and those who stayed on their DMT for at least 2 months without tolerability issues. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the prescribing practices during the timeframes with the percentage of prescribing for each type of treatment and to assess the percentage of patients that switched therapies in the different time periods. RESULTS Based on prescribing report data, 670 patients were prescribed a DMT during the pre-pandemic period with infusion therapies being the most prescribed therapies during this timeframe (38%), followed by oral therapies at 35%. In comparison, a total of 620 patients were prescribed a DMT during pre-vaccine pandemic and the percentage of prescriptions of infusion therapies decreased to 28% (-10%) during this timeframe, whereas oral prescriptions increased to 42% (+7%). These trends continued during the post-vaccine timeframe where infusion therapies decreased to 26% (-12%) and oral therapies increased to 43% (+8%) in reference to the pre-pandemic period. Prescribing patterns of self-injectable therapies remained stable throughout the 3 timeframes. A dispensing report cohort of 500 patients were randomly selected for chart reviews to assess therapy modifications due to COVID-19. The percentage of therapy change due to COVID-19 increased to 45.2% during pre-vaccine period and remained at 38.4% during post-vaccine period when compared to the pre-pandemic reference period. The majority of changes due to COVID-19 were delays in infusion therapies (96% during pre-vaccine, and 94% during post-vaccine), not medication changes. CONCLUSION Prescribing patterns and therapy modifications of DMTs for MS patients were impacted by COVID-19, with the greatest changes observed for the infusion therapies, including reduction in percentage of infusion prescriptions and delays in infusion therapies. Prescribing patterns of lower efficacy self-injectable therapies (interferon-beta and glatiramer acetate) remained stable. The outcomes of this study provide background for future outcomes-focused research studies in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roma Amin
- Northwestern Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Shuvro Roy
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sujin Wolff
- Johns Hopkins Home Care Group, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Scott Newsome
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Golshani M, Hrdý J. Multiple Sclerosis Patients and Disease Modifying Therapies: Impact on Immune Responses against COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020279. [PMID: 35214735 PMCID: PMC8876554 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This article reviews the literature on SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and multiple sclerosis (MS). The first part of the paper focuses on the current data on immunopathology of SARS-CoV-2 and leading vaccines produced against COVID-19 infection. In the second part of the article, we discuss the effect of Disease Modifying Therapies (DMTs) on COVID-19 infection severity or SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in MS patients plus safety profile of different vaccine platforms in MS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jiří Hrdý
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-224968509
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Roth EG, Minden SL, Maloni HW, Miles ZJ, Wallin MT. A Qualitative, Multiperspective Inquiry of Multiple Sclerosis Telemedicine in the United States. Int J MS Care 2022; 24:275-281. [PMID: 36545645 PMCID: PMC9749833 DOI: 10.7224/1537-2073.2021-117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telemedicine has expanded access to high-quality, appropriate, and affordable health care for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study explored how the expansion of MS telemedicine is perceived and experienced by people with MS, health care providers (HCPs), and payers and policy experts (PYs). METHODS Forty-five semistructured interviews with 20 individuals with MS, 15 HCPs, and 10 PYs were conducted between September 2020 and January 2021. The interviews were recorded on a televideo platform, transcribed, and analyzed for themes using qualitative data software. RESULTS Interviews revealed the following 4 themes. Technology: Telemedicine increases access and convenience. Technical challenges were the most cited downside to telemedicine. Clinical encounters: Confidence in MS care via telemedicine varies. Virtual "house calls" have clinical benefits. Financing and infrastructure: Reimbursement parity is critical to utilization and expansion of telemedicine. Stakeholders are hopeful and fearful as infrastructure and business models begin to shift. Shifting expectations: The familiar structure of the office visit is currently absent in telemedicine. Telemedicine visits need more intentionality from both providers and patients. CONCLUSIONS Telemedicine is an efficient, convenient way to deliver and receive many aspects of MS care. To expand telemedicine care, many HCPs need more training and experience, people with MS need guidance to optimize their care, and PYs in the United States need to pass legislation and adjust business models to incorporate benefits and reimbursement for telemedicine health in insurance plans. The future is promising for the ongoing use of telemedicine to improve MS care, and stakeholders should work to preserve and expand the policy changes made during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin G. Roth
- From The Department of Sociology, Anthropology, & Public Health, University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), Baltimore, MD, USA (EGR)
| | | | - Heidi W. Maloni
- Department of Veterans Affairs Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence, Washington, DC, USA (HWM, MTW)
| | | | - Mitchell T. Wallin
- Department of Veterans Affairs Multiple Sclerosis Center of Excellence, Washington, DC, USA (HWM, MTW),George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA (MTW)
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Description and preliminary experience with Virtual Visit Assessment (ViVA) during the COVID-19 pandemic, a structured virtual management protocol for patients with multiple sclerosis. Neurol Sci 2021; 43:1207-1214. [PMID: 34131815 PMCID: PMC8205205 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05371-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), strict follow-up is essential. Telemedicine has the potential to overcome many of the difficulties in routine management. Herein, we present a structured protocol that can be used to remotely manage patients with MS, describing in detail the steps to be taken and exams needed at each stage. A working group was established which developed a tailored protocol that can be adapted to a variety of settings. The overall protocol consisted of 5 phases: enrolment, document sharing phase, pre-evaluation, virtual visit, and post-visit phase, which was divided into 14 individual steps. As of October 2020, 25 virtual visits have been carried out, all via Skype. The patient’s caregiver was present during visits and had an active role. The average duration of the virtual visit was 24 min, and that of the pre-visit and post-visit were around 15 min each. Overall satisfaction as rated by physicians was considered high (8.0 ± 0.5). Using the system usability scale (SUS), patients also favorably rated the virtual visit (96.6 ± 6.1). In 20% of cases, the virtual visit was not sufficient to provide adequate information and an in-person clinical visit was recommended. The described protocol has the potential to provide benefits for the healthcare system as well as patients and their caregivers both during and beyond COVID-19 pandemic.
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Broche-Pérez Y, Jiménez-Morales RM, Monasterio-Ramos LO, Vázquez-Gómez LA, Fernández-Fleites Z. Fear of COVID-19, problems accessing medical appointments, and subjective experience of disease progression, predict anxiety and depression reactions in patients with Multiple Sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2021; 53:103070. [PMID: 34119745 PMCID: PMC8170908 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2021.103070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background During the current COVID-19 pandemic there are studies that have suggested a negative impact of the pandemic on the mental health of patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). In this sense, several factors may be related to the increase in experiences of anxiety and depression in PwMS during the current pandemic. Objective In this study we first explored the reactions of anxiety, depression and fear to COVID-19 in a group of PwMS that belong to the Ibero-American region. Besides, we explored whether having been positive to COVID-19, fear of COVID-19, the obstacles to attend medical appointments during the outbreak and subjective experience of MS progression, could predict the anxiety and depression reactions in our PwMS sample. Materials and methods An online cross-sectional survey was conducted on 202 MS patients from six countries (Argentina, Mexico, Spain, Dominican Republic, Venezuela and Cuba). For comparisons between variables an independent-samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance were used. Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the effects of potential predictor variables over emotional reactions. Results Our results showed that PwMS who were positive for COVID-19 reported higher levels of fear of COVID-19 (p<.001) and also higher levels of anxiety (p<.001) compared to non-positive patients. Those patients who had difficulties attending their medical appointments during the outbreak showed higher levels of depression (p=.03) and anxiety (p=.019). Levels of anxiety (p<.001) and depression (p=.006) were also higher among patients with the subjective experience of MS disease progression. The reactions of fear of COVID-19, having been positive to COVID-19, problems attending medical appointments, and subjective experience of MS disease progression showed a high association with the negative impact of the pandemic on mental health of PwMS. Conclusions Our results show that the situation generated by the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the mental health of PwMS in our sample. Our results also alert to the importance of offering psychological care to patients with multiple sclerosis during the current outbreak, regardless of whether they have been positive for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunier Broche-Pérez
- Psychology Department, Universidad Central "Marta Abreu" de Las Villas, Santa Clara, Cuba; CognitiON (Cuban Inicative on Cognitive Health), Santa Clara, Cuba.
| | | | | | - Lázaro A Vázquez-Gómez
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Provincial Universitario Arnaldo Milián Castro, Santa Clara, Cuba
| | - Zoylen Fernández-Fleites
- Psychology Department, Universidad Central "Marta Abreu" de Las Villas, Santa Clara, Cuba; CognitiON (Cuban Inicative on Cognitive Health), Santa Clara, Cuba
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Filippi M, Capra R, Centonze D, Gasperini C, Patti F, Perini P, Pozzilli C, Rocca MA, Uccelli A, Trojano M. Therapeutic recommendations and seasonal influenza vaccine for multiple sclerosis patients in treatment with ocrelizumab: an expert consensus. J Neurol 2021; 268:1540-1543. [PMID: 33609155 PMCID: PMC7896178 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10466-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Filippi
- Neurology Unit, MS Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy.
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
- Neurophysiology Service, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
| | - Ruggero Capra
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, Spedali Civili of Brescia, Montichiari, Brescia, Italy
| | - Diego Centonze
- Department of Systems Medicine, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy
- Unit of Neurology, IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy
| | - Claudio Gasperini
- Department of Neurosciences, San Camillo Forlanini Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Patti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, GF Ingrassia, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, PO G Rodolico, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Paola Perini
- Multiple Sclerosis Centre of the Veneto Region, Neurology Clinic, Department of Neurosciences (DNS), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Carlo Pozzilli
- Multiple Sclerosis Center, 'S. Andrea' Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria A Rocca
- Neurology Unit, MS Center, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Uccelli
- Department of Neurology, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health (DINOGMI), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maria Trojano
- Neurology and Neurophysiopathology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neuroscience and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Ciccarelli
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Departmentof Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK/NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Jeffrey A Cohen
- Queen Square Multiple Sclerosis Centre, Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alan Thompson
- Mellen Center (J.A.C.), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- SC Krieger
- SC Krieger Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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