Effectiveness, Healthcare Resource Utilization and Adherence to Subcutaneous Interferon Beta-1a According to Age in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Cohort Study Using a US Claims Database

Background: It is thought that older patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) may present with a different clinical disease phenotype, and therefore respond to subcutaneous interferon beta-1a (sc IFN beta-1a) differently to younger patients. However, few real-world data are available concerning the effectiveness of sc IFN beta-1a according to age. Using data from US claims databases, this cohort analysis aimed to determine the differences in relapse rates, healthcare utilization, treatment adherence, and discontinuation according to pre-defined age groups. Methods: Patient data were pooled from the IBM (R) MarketScan (R) Commercial Claims Database and Medicare Supplemental Database. Patients with a confirmed MS diagnosis who initiated treatment with sc IFN beta-1a between July 01, 2010 and December 31, 2015, along with at least 6 months continuous enrolment in a healthcare plan, were followed from first prescription (index date) until date of discontinuation, treatment switch, or end of observation period (1 year after index date). Results: Of the 5,340 patients included in the analysis, there was a high proportion of patients free from relapse across all age groups (range: 94.1-95.4%), with a numerical decrease in the number of MRI performed by age (mean: 0.25, 18-30 years; 0.20, 31-40 years; 0.16, 41-50 years; 0.14, >= 51 years). Adherence (>= 80%) was seen to increase with age (77.6%, 18-30 years; 79.6%, 31-40 years; 81.3%, 41-50 years; 84.0%, >= 51 years), at the same time as a non-significant decrease in discontinuation (incidence rate: 79.91, 73.01, 71.75, 68.71%). Conclusion: The effectiveness of sc IFN beta-1a does not appear reduced as a consequence of age in this real-world setting. Older patients had lower discontinuation rates and reduced disease activity, reflected in lower relapse rates and fewer MRI scans compared with younger patients.

Automated summary

In this real-world setting, the effectiveness of sc IFN beta-1a does not appear to be reduced based on age. Older patients showed lower discontinuation rates and reduced disease activity, as evidenced by lower relapse rates and fewer MRI scans compared to younger patients.