Use of diagnostic tests and procedures for disease-modifying therapy users and non-disease-modifying therapy users with multiple sclerosis

Abstract

We examined the use of 23 diagnostic procedures and monitoring tests for users of disease-modifying therapy (DMT) and non-DMT users with multiple sclerosis (MS). The Medstat MarketScan^® Commercial Claims and Encounters database (2003–2007), which is composed of medical and pharmacy claims for approximately 8 million beneficiaries from 45 US commercial health plans, was used to identify DMT users with an index claim for an MS drug and a 6-month baseline period without MS drugs. Patients were followed for 12 months. Logistic regression models were used to estimate differences in rates and proportion of patients receiving procedures and tests between cohorts. Baseline rates for DMT users (n = 12,455) included MRIs (76.8%), spinal taps (15.7%), neuropsychological testing (4.7%), chemistry panels (61.4%), complete blood cell counts (76.7%) and liver function tests (60.5%). Relative to non-DMT users (n = 25,534), DMT users were more likely to receive an MRI, neuropsychological testing, chemistry panels, complete blood cell counts and liver function tests.

Keywords::

• claims data analysis
• diagnostic techniques and procedures
• drug therapy
• liver function test
• MRI
• multiple sclerosis
• neuropsychological testing

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank Victoria Porter, medical writer and editor, for her assistance with the preparation of this manuscript.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This study was supported by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Nikita Mody-Patel was employed by Novartis Pharmaceuticals at the time that this study was conducted. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Editorial assistance was provided by Victoria Porter and funded by Novartis Pharmaceuticals.