Author Of 1 Presentation
P0857 - Comorbidity and Economic Burdens of Fatigue Among Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis in the United States (ID 1686)
Abstract
Background
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)-related fatigue is a common symptom of relapsing remitting MS (RRMS). However, the demographic and clinical characteristics of these patients, as well as associated economic and health burden of MS-related fatigue, are poorly understood.
Objectives
To describe demographics, comorbidities, and healthcare resources of adults with RRMS with low level and high level of fatigue, compared to adults without MS.
Methods
This cross-sectional study included data from the 2017 and 2019 US National Health and Wellness Survey, a nationally representative self-report survey of the US general adult population. Respondents reporting physician-diagnosed MS with RRMS were stratified by low/high levels of fatigue (RRMS+LF, RRMS+HF), based on the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale-5 score (0-14=LF, 15-20=HF). Descriptive statistics compared patients with RRMS+HF to respondents with RRMS+LF and unmatched non-MS controls on healthcare resource use, income, employment, and clinical characteristics.
Results
In total, 123 respondents with RRMS+HF, 375 with RRMS+LF, and 145,669 non-MS controls were analyzed. Mean age was similar across groups, and 75% (RRMS+HF), 74% (RRMS+LF), and 55% (non-MS) were female. Depression (65% vs 33% and 20%), anxiety (48% vs 25% and 19%), and insomnia (26% vs 16% and 8%) were more commonly reported by those with RRMS+HF than RRMS+LF and non-MS, respectively. Higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores were reported by patients with RRMS+HF (1.2±1.8), compared to 0.7±2.9 for RRMS+LF and 0.4±1.0 for non-MS. Annualized number of outpatient visits, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations were greater for those with RRMS+HF (15.5±15.4, 1.3±3.5, 0.9±2.6), compared to RRMS+LF (11.5±17.6, 0.7±2.0, 0.4±1.6) and non-MS (7.4±11.3, 0.5±2.5, 0.4±2.8), translating to annual medical care costs of $19,508±$43,614 for RRMS+HF, $10,406±$28,081 for RRMS+LF, and $8,493±$45,661 for non-MS. Patients with RRMS+HF were less likely to be employed full-time (18%) than those with RRMS+LF (31%) and non-MS (43%) and were more likely to have lower annual household income. Moreover, percentages on long-term disability were 38%, 14%, and 3%, respectively.
Conclusions
Higher comorbidity and economic burdens were reported by patients with RRMS+HF, compared to those with RRMS+LF and non-MS. These findings can facilitate identification of patients with MS who may require additional treatment and support to manage MS-related fatigue.