OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the utilization of disease modifying therapies (DMTs) and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) among adult patients with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) receiving care in the United States (US).

METHODS: This study analyzed data from the PicnicHealth MS Cohort, which contains de-identified, patient-level data abstracted from structured and unstructured medical records of consented PwMS receiving care in the US. PwMS ≥18 years old enrolled September 2020 through August 2022 were included. Descriptive statistics for patient characteristics, DMT use, and HCRU were reported.

RESULTS: Of 2,864 PwMS included, mean (SD) enrollment age was 48 (12) years. Among patients with non-missing data, 80% were female, 78% white, and 91% non-Hispanic/Latino. Most patients with known subtype (N=2,121) had relapsing-remitting MS (65%) and 59% of all PwMS had ≥1 documented relapse. Almost half (48%) of PwMS had documented cane or walker use, and 23% had documented wheelchair or scooter use. Median (Q1,Q3) observation time was 4 (2,7) years. PwMS received care at 4 (2,7) sites and saw 9 (5,18) providers; 96% of PwMS had a visit with a neurologist, 78% with primary care, 30% with physical therapy, and 13% with occupational therapy. All PwMS had ≥1 outpatient visit and 59% had ≥1 hospitalization. Almost all (92%) patients had a brain/orbit/head/spinal MRI. Most PwMS (86%) had a record of DMT treatment. The most common DMTs were glatiramer (32%), ocrelizumab (32%), dimethyl fumarate (26%), and interferon beta-1a (23%). Of patients with DMT treatment recorded, 56% had ≥1 reason for discontinuation documented; patients most commonly discontinued due to side effects/poor tolerance (28%), inefficacy (21%), and contraindication (10%).

CONCLUSIONS: Most PwMS in this study had ≥1 hospitalization and the most common reason patients discontinued a DMT was side effects/poor tolerance. Further research is needed to understand how to improve treatment for PwMS while reducing disease progression and relapse-related HCRU.