Disease Modifying Therapy in Newly Diagnosed People with Multiple Sclerosis – A Real-World Administrative Claims Study (P3-3.017)

Abstract

<h3>Objective:</h3> To characterize the initial disease modifying therapy (DMT) and time-to-treatment of people who receive a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). <h3>Background:</h3> Initiation of DMT expeditiously after diagnosis is important to reduce disease activity and optimize clinical outcome. MS diagnosis can occur in emergency, inpatient, or outpatient settings so a comprehensive view of subsequent care and treatment can be difficult to ascertain. Administrative claims are a useful tool to observe initiation of care. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> Longitudinal data of suspected newly diagnosed people with MS (PwMS) from a large payer commercial claims database spanning 2016–2021 were analyzed. Inclusion criteria required any combination of 3 non-overlapping claims with an MS diagnosis (ICD-10-CM: G35) and/or DMT within a year following the first G35. A minimum 5 years of continuous medical and prescription coverage with 2 years prior to and 1 year following the first G35 was required to establish likely initial diagnosis and observe initiation of DMT. Time-to-treatment statistics were calculated for DMTs initiated within a year of the first G35. <h3>Results:</h3> Out of 2,024 cohort members meeting inclusion criteria, 17% started a DMT within 30 days of first MS diagnosis code, and an additional 16% started between 31 and 60 days. 34% of members in this cohort did not have a DMT claim observed in the year following their initial G35. Time-to-treatment varies by DMT. The most frequent therapies initiated within a year were glatiramer acetate, dimethyl fumarate, and ocrelizumab with median (interquartile range) time-to-DMT of 35 (15–70), 47 (22–85), and 79 (51–131) days, respectively. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Many apparent newly diagnosed PwMS did not start a DMT within a year following the initial MS claim. There is substantial variation in initial DMT and time-to-DMT of those that started within a year. Further study is warranted to understand factors that impact initiation of DMT. <b>Disclosure:</b> Dr. Jordan has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Octave Bioscience. Dr. Jordan has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Rally Health/Optum. Dr. Jordan has stock in Octave Bioscience. Dr. Jordan has stock in UnitedHealth Group. Mrs. Hua has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Octave. Dr. Ghoreyshi has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Octave Bioscience. Dr. Ghoreyshi has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Verily Life Sciences. Dr. Ghoreyshi has stock in Octave Bioscience. Dr. Edgeworth has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Octave Bioscience. Dr. Edgeworth has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Cigna. Dr. Edgeworth has stock in Octave Bioscience. Dr. Edgeworth has stock in Cigna. Dr. Edgeworth has stock in OnCall Health Corporation, DBA Cayaba Care. Dr. Edgeworth has stock in Winnow AI, Inc. .