Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of multiple sclerosis patients receiving disease modifying treatment in Poland

Abstract

Background The aim of study was to collect and analyze data on relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients receiving disease modifying therapies (DMTs) in Poland. Material and methods The observational, multi-center with prospective data collection study included all RRMS patients receiving DMTs reimbursed by the National Health Fund (NFZ) in Poland, monitored by the Therapeutic Program Monitoring System (SMPT). The demographic profile, disability status and treatment modalities were analyzed. Results Data from 12,341 patients were collected, including 70.1% women and 29.9% men, therein 11,653 patients in the first-line and 1026 in second-line therapeutic DMTs programme. Proportion female to male was 2.36 in the first-line and 1.9 in the second-line. The mean age was 36.4 years (±SD 10.6) in the first-line and 35.1 years (±SD 9.7) in the second line. The mean time of observation in the first line was 3.7 years (±SD 2.4) and in the second line was 2.8 years (±SD 1.3). The mean time from the first symptoms to MS diagnosis was 24.54 months (median 7.23), and from MS diagnosis to treatment: 39.35 months (median 10.12). There was a positive correlation between time to start treatment and higher the initial EDSS score (R 0.29, p Conclusions In Poland, only about one third of all MS patients is treated with DMTs. There is a need to improve the quality of MS patients healthcare and their access to DMTs.