Background: Although socioeconomic disparities that lead to differences in multiple sclerosis (MS) outcomes have been identified, specific factors contributing to such discrepancies are not well understood. MS PATHS is a network of centers that provides real-world data from a diverse population of patients with MS.
Objectives: Describe baseline (BL) characteristics and clinical outcomes by employment status and educational level in MS PATHS patients treated with peginterferon beta-1a or intramuscular interferon (IM IFN) beta-1a.
Methods: MS PATHS data cut v12 was used. Included patients were treated with peginterferon beta-1a or IM IFN beta-1a at BL or a follow-up visit. P values were based on a Wilcoxon signed-rank or Fisher exact test.
Results: Employment status was available for 1006 patients (17.6% unemployed [UE], 11.0% employed part time [PT], 71.4% employed full time [FT]). UE patients had greater mean BL disability and T2 lesion volume (T2LV) than PT/FT patients (Patient Determined Disease Step [PDDS] score: UE 3.07, PT 0.89, FT 0.96; T2LV [mL]: UE 13.3, PT 9.33, FT 8.4) and higher rates of progressive MS forms (UE 43.5%, PT 9.0%, FT 17.5%), ?1 relapse in the prior year (UE 53.1%, PT 39.6%, FT 30.0%), and comorbidities. UE and PT/FT patients differed significantly on all BL Multiple Sclerosis Performance Test (MSPT) assessments (P<0.001). At 2 y, UE patients had a significantly higher annualized relapse rate (ARR; 1.30) than PT (0.69; P<0.005) or FT (0.57; P17 y, GD] 22.3%). BL characteristics were generally similar irrespective of education level, though HS/SC patients had higher mean PDDS scores than CG/GD patients (?1.48 vs ?1.16) and higher rates of progressive forms of MS (22.6%26.9% vs 16.1%17.5%). All BL MSPT assessments differed significantly for HS/SC vs CG/GD patients (P<0.001). ARRs at 2 y were similar regardless of education level.
Conclusions: These results add to our understanding of characteristics and outcomes of underserved patients with MS treated with peginterferon beta-1a or IM IFN beta-1a. Lower levels of employment and education were both associated with greater burden of disease. Additional studies with longer observation times may help identify potentially modifiable risk factors.
Please login to see your profile content