Risk factors for infusion-related reactions following Ocrelizumab infusion in a community setting: Development of an electronic medical record-based explanatory model

Abstract

Background: In 2017, ocrelizumab became the first FDA approved disease modifying therapy (DMT) for primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Although effective, adverse infusion-related reactions (IRR), such as erythema, pruritus, hives, and throat irritation, were frequently reported.Objective: To develop an explanatory model of factors associated with increased odds of IRR development to further enhance clinical decision-making when administering ocrelizumab in a community setting.Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed (n = 422) by extracting patient demographic factors and co-occurring conditions and symptoms from electronic medical records. Bivariate analyses were conducted to examine which demographic and clinical characteristics were associated with IRR development, and variables with a p-value of <.10 were then entered into a logistic regression to create the explanatory model.Results: Being female (odds ratio [OR]: 2.60), Hispanic/Latinx (OR: 3.98), and having a history of a co-occurring tremor (OR: 3.78) were risk factors for increased odds of having an IRR.Conclusions: These findings may be helpful in guiding clinical practice routines and improving patient expectations regarding the likelihood of IRR development based on their individual demographics and co-occurring conditions and symptoms.