OBJECTIVES: Describe the demographic and disease characteristics of peginterferon beta-1a patients in a real world data set, and compare perceived effectiveness and quality of life of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with peginterferon beta-1a versus other platform injectable therapies (IM interferon beta-1a, SC interferon beta-1a, interferon beta-1b, glatiramer acetate) in five European countries.

METHODS: In this retrospective study, cross-sectional data from 2014 to 2016 were obtained from Adelphi MS Disease Specific Program (III, IV, V). MS patients who received peginterferon beta-1a or other platform injectable therapies were identified. Descriptive analysis was conducted to examine patient characteristics, treatment patterns and patient reported outcomes.

RESULTS: Sixty-five peginterferon beta-1a patients and 3,908 patients treated with other platform injectable therapies were identified and compared. Peginterferon beta-1a patients were slightly younger with a mean (SE) age of 36 (10.5) years vs. 38 (10.9) years (p=0.05), respectively, and had a lower mean (SE) Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 1.7 (1.2) vs. 2.3 (1.5) (p=0.0007), respectively. Sixty-five percent of identified patients considered “efficacy” the most important reason in choosing new treatment options. Peginterferon beta-1a patients were less likely to be treatment naïve (58% vs. 80%, p<0.0001). Compared with patients on other platform injectable therapies, patients on peginterferon beta-1a were less likely to report “lack of efficacy” as a current treatment issue, more likely to report a convenient administration profile and to have “less disruption to a patient’s life.”

CONCLUSIONS: The average peginterferon beta-1a patient appears younger and with lower disability as compared to patients treated with other platform injectable therapies. Of patients receiving platform injectable therapy, efficacy is the most important reason for treatment choice, and identified patients rate peginterferon beta-1a as more convenient than other platform injectable therapies. Further research will be insightful once peginterferon beta-1a has been on market for a longer duration.