Background: In multiple sclerosis (MS), randomized controlled trials (RCT) have provided relevant information about the efficacy and safety in ideal scenarios. While RCT are powerful tools for developing scientific evidence based on their high internal validity, there is always uncertainty about the generalizability, especially since the populations enrolled in such studies may differ in significant ways from those seen in clinical practice.
Objective: to describe the frequency and clinical profile of MS patients under disease modifying treatment in Argentina that would have not fulfilled inclusion criteria in RCT.
Methods: MS patients included in the Argentinean MS and NMOSD registry (RelevarEM, NCT 03375177) were analyzed. RelevarEM is a longitudinal, strictly observational MS and NMOSD registry in Argentina. From May 2018 to March 2020, the centers and principal investigators were contacted and incorporated into the Registry. All patients with definite MS and receiving DMT at 31 December 2019 were screened, those with EDSS >6, phenotypes secondary progressive (SP) and primary progressive (PP)(with other DMT than ocrelizumab) and age <18 and >55 years old were included in the analysis.
Results: A total of 1782 patients with MS receiving DMT were screened, of whom 465 (26%)would not have been included in a pivotal trial. From the 465,218 had and EDSS >6, 67 had phenotype SP and 19 PP; 292 were patients with <18 and >55 years of age (2 under 18 years old). Most prescribed DMT among patients with EDSS >6 was fingolimod (31%), among age >55 was beta interferon (35%), phenotype SP fingolimod (30%) and PP fingolimod and glatiramer acetate (each 26%).
Conclusion: in our registry, we found a significant number of MS patients who would have not been included in pivotal trials, receiving DMT. Real life evidence is highly relevant to assess effectiveness as well as safety of DMT in this subset of patients.