Author Of 1 Presentation
P0416 - Use of Dimethyl fumarate in real clinical practice and strategy to minimize adverse effects and health resources (ID 937)
Abstract
Background
Background: Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has shown efficacy in reducing relapse rates in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, associated adverse effects (AE) (mainly gastrointestinal [GI] and flushing) are the main cause of treatment discontinuation.
Objectives
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of DMF, and to explore how to reduce treatment discontinuation rates in routine clinical practice.
Methods
Methods: Ninety patients initiated DMF treatment between August 2015 and February 2020. Prior to DMF therapy, patients received written information including guidelines for DMF administration, dose administration schedule and description of treatment-associated AE along with medical prescriptions for proper AE management. Clinical and analytical data were collected at least at every 6-monthly clinical visit, and disease progression was evaluated by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Results
Results: At final follow-up of DMF treatment, both annual relapse rate (ARR) and median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score were significantly reduced: ARR = 0.09 (p < 0.001); median EDSS = 0 (interquartile range: 0-1.625; p < 0.001) and 26.7% of patients with baseline brain MRI showed improvement. 53 patients reported incidence of DMF-associated EA during follow-up, 96.2% of them did it already during the first clinical visit. Most frequent EA were flushing (n = 39 patients; 43.3%) and GI EA (n = 34; 37.7%). Twelve patients (13.5%) abandoned DMF treatment but none because of GI AE or flushing.
Conclusions
Conclusions: In our series, DMF showed high efficacy at clinical and radiological levels. More important, we found that providing patients with complete information prior to treatment on the management of associated AE helped them to better understand what to expect, improved tolerance and reduced discontinuation rate and clinical and telephone consultations. The use of this strategy in real world clinical practice may allow to maximize the benefits of DMF treatment and diminish the use and cost of healthcare resources.
Presenter Of 1 Presentation
P0416 - Use of Dimethyl fumarate in real clinical practice and strategy to minimize adverse effects and health resources (ID 937)
Abstract
Background
Background: Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has shown efficacy in reducing relapse rates in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, associated adverse effects (AE) (mainly gastrointestinal [GI] and flushing) are the main cause of treatment discontinuation.
Objectives
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of DMF, and to explore how to reduce treatment discontinuation rates in routine clinical practice.
Methods
Methods: Ninety patients initiated DMF treatment between August 2015 and February 2020. Prior to DMF therapy, patients received written information including guidelines for DMF administration, dose administration schedule and description of treatment-associated AE along with medical prescriptions for proper AE management. Clinical and analytical data were collected at least at every 6-monthly clinical visit, and disease progression was evaluated by brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Results
Results: At final follow-up of DMF treatment, both annual relapse rate (ARR) and median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score were significantly reduced: ARR = 0.09 (p < 0.001); median EDSS = 0 (interquartile range: 0-1.625; p < 0.001) and 26.7% of patients with baseline brain MRI showed improvement. 53 patients reported incidence of DMF-associated EA during follow-up, 96.2% of them did it already during the first clinical visit. Most frequent EA were flushing (n = 39 patients; 43.3%) and GI EA (n = 34; 37.7%). Twelve patients (13.5%) abandoned DMF treatment but none because of GI AE or flushing.
Conclusions
Conclusions: In our series, DMF showed high efficacy at clinical and radiological levels. More important, we found that providing patients with complete information prior to treatment on the management of associated AE helped them to better understand what to expect, improved tolerance and reduced discontinuation rate and clinical and telephone consultations. The use of this strategy in real world clinical practice may allow to maximize the benefits of DMF treatment and diminish the use and cost of healthcare resources.