The Impact of the MS-CARE Patient Management Program on Adherence and Healthcare Costs in Interferon-beta Treated Patients with Multiple Sclerosis (P06.193)

Objective: To demonstrate in a real-world–setting that a patient management program (PMP) improves adherence to DMT and thus results in improvement of clinical outcome and decrease of health care costs. Background Disease modifying treatments for MS such as interferon-beta have been shown to reduce the risk for disease progression. Therefore adherence to treatment is essential for treatment outcome. Design/Methods: Open label, multicenter, prospective, observational study in Germany. 731 MS-patients in 219 centers were treated with IM IFNb-1a, offered PMP and followed for up to 12 months. PMP consisted of injection trainings, support and regular quarterly follow-up for up to 12 months after initiation of therapy. Resource consumption of health care services was evaluated. Adherence was judged as “good” (mean values: 2.0±1.9) on an ordinal scale from 1 (“very good”) to 10 (“very bad”) by the treating neurologist. Primary endpoint: health-care costs in adherent versus non-adherent patients. Secondary endpoints: Clinical outcome in adherent vs. non-adherent patients including fatigue and QoL. Results: 731 patients (mean age: 38.2, 73.7% female) were enrolled, 640 (88%) finished the investigation. PMP-Participation: 6 months after starting therapy: continuously 134/393 patients (34%), temporarily 82/393 (21%) and 154/393 (39%) no participation; 12 months after baseline: continuously 37% (93/251), temporarily 19% (48/251) and 40% (101/251) no participation. Significant higher health care costs (payer perspective, time periods: 6 months before therapy, after 6 and 12 months): before treatment, before month 6 and 12 (baseline visit: mean €1.590, SD €2.190, after 6 months: €584, SD €1.510, after 12 months: €524, SD €1.675, p Conclusions: In a real-world-setting IM IFNb-1a. therapy in combination with a PMP are efficacious to maintain adherence and reduce costs. Supported by: Biogen Idec. Disclosure: Dr. Katsarava has received personal compensation for activities with Allergan, Inc. as a consultant. Dr. Ehlken has nothing to disclose. Dr. Patel has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec as an employee. Ms. Rehberg-Weber has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec as an employee.