OBJECTIVES: Research interest in the impact of comorbidities in MS has been increasing. Certain comorbidities are more prevalent in the MS population including depression, anxiety, cardiovascular diseases (hypertension and hypercholesterolemia), chronic lung diseases (CLDs), diabetes, and thyroid disease. This study aims to describe the prevalence of comorbidities in MS population based on the health insurance claims data.

METHODS: This retrospective database analysis was conducted using patient-level medicinal and pharmacy claims data from a leading insurance group (Iranian health insurance) during 2007-2016. MS population was identified based on their DMTs prescribed by a neurologist. Comorbidities in MS and non-MS population were assessed by their prescriptions. Crude and age-standardized prevalence of comorbidities in different sex and age groups and their odds ratio vs non-MS population were assessed.

RESULTS: The most common commodities were depression (46.2%) and anxiety (40.7%), followed by CLDs (22.8%). The prevalence of comorbidities was increasing with aging in both sexes but (18-45)-year-old male patients had more prescriptions for comorbidity in comparison with the non-MS population.

CONCLUSIONS: Using claims data, the prevalence of selected comorbidities in MS population and their association with sex and age, can guide patients, healthcare providers, and policy makers to help improve MS patients’ wellbeing.