Assessing Pharmacists' Preferences towards Efficacy Attributes of Disease-Modifying Therapies in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Cognitive effects of ocrelizumab vs interferon β-1a in relapsing multiple sclerosis: A post hoc analysis of the OPERA I/II trials

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment is a well-recognized symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) that can manifest early in the disease course. Deficits in cognitive function can have a major impact on daily life. However, cognitive decline is often under-examined in clinical trials and clinical practice due to lack of adequate data. The objective of this study was to examine the longitudinal effect of ocrelizumab vs interferon beta (IFNβ)-1a on cognitive impairment in 2 phase 3 studies in relapsing MS (RMS).

METHODS

The pooled population of participants with RMS (n = 1656) from the OPERA I/II clinical trials received subcutaneous IFNβ-1a (44 μg; n = 829) 3 times weekly or intravenous ocrelizumab (600 mg; n = 827) every 24 weeks. Cognition was assessed with a Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), administered in written or oral form according to each site investigator's choice, that primarily measured cognitive processing speed at baseline and every 12 weeks until the end of the double-blind treatment (96 weeks). Treatment effects were investigated based on longitudinal linear models for the change from baseline in SDMT and Cox regression for the time to 12- or 24-week confirmed decline of ≥4 points.

RESULTS

Among the participants with an SDMT assessment at baseline and ≥1 postbaseline time point (IFNβ-1a, n = 749; ocrelizumab, n = 766), ocrelizumab treatment was associated with a greater mean SDMT improvement over 96 weeks than IFNβ-1a treatment (5.4 [95 % CI, 4.4-6.5] vs 4.0 [95 % CI, 3.0-5.1]; adjusted mean difference, 1.4 [95 % CI, 0.05-2.72]; P = 0.042). The risk of a clinically meaningful SDMT decline (≥4 points) was lower for those treated with ocrelizumab for both ≥12 weeks (IFNβ-1a, 18.4 %; ocrelizumab, 12.7 %; hazard ratio, 0.63 [95 % CI, 0.47-0.85]; P = 0.003) and ≥24 weeks (IFNβ-1a, 12.9 %; ocrelizumab, 7.9 %; HR, 0.57 [95 % CI, 0.39-0.82]; P = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Ocrelizumab treatment resulted in better cognitive outcomes as measured by SDMT in participants with RMS compared with IFNβ-1a treatment. However, methodological limitations need to be considered when interpreting these data.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov: NCT01247324, NCT01412333.

Unveiling preferences in multiple sclerosis care: insights from an Italian discrete-choice experiment with patients and healthcare professionals

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating, neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. Understanding patient and healthcare professional (HCP) preferences for MS treatments is crucial for optimizing therapeutic strategies and improving adherence and outcomes. This Discrete-Choice Experiment (DCE) assesses preferences for various MS treatment attributes among Italian patients and HCPs. The sample included 1069 patients and 186 HCPs. Key attributes evaluated were treatment administration route, frequency, location, and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), such as cognitive impairment, fatigue, and mobility. Data were collected through questionnaires and responses were analyzed to determine the relative importance (RI) and utility of each attribute. Both patients and HCPs highly prioritized PROMs, with cognitive impairments and walking ability being the most critical factors. Patients showed a strong preference for oral administration and treatments administered biannually at home, whereas HCPs preferred hospital-based treatments. The "Time to Progression" attribute was more significant for HCPs than for patients, reflecting different priorities between the groups. The study highlighted the importance of treatment convenience, with patients favoring less-frequent administration schedules and home-based treatment options. This study underscores the necessity of incorporating both patient and HCP perspectives into MS treatment planning. Shared decision-making, which considers individual preferences, can enhance treatment adherence and outcomes. These insights into treatment preferences provide valuable guidance for personalized MS care, aiming to improve patient quality of life and optimize therapeutic efficacy.

Preferences for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder treatments: A conjoint analysis with neurologists in Spain

BACKGROUND

The treatment landscape for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has changed in recent years with the approval of therapies with different efficacy, safety and administration profiles.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess neurologists' preferences for different NMOSD treatment attributes using conjoint analysis (CA).

METHODS

We conducted an online, non-interventional, cross-sectional study in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Neurology. Our CA assessed five drugs' attributes: prevention of relapse, prevention of disability accumulation, safety risk, management during pregnancy, and route and frequency of administration. Participants were presented with eight hypothetical treatment scenarios to rank based on their preferences from the most preferred to the least. An ordinary least squares method was selected to estimate weighted preferences.

RESULTS

A total of 104 neurologists were included. Mean age (standard deviation-SD) was 37.7 (10.3) years, 52.9 % were male, and median time (interquartile range) of experience managing NMOSD was 5.0 (2.9, 10.8) years. Neurologists placed the greatest importance on efficacy attributes, time to relapse (44.1 %) being the most important, followed by preventing disability accumulation (36.8 %). In contrast, route and frequency of administration (4.6 %) was the least important characteristic. Participants who prioritised efficacy attributes felt more comfortable in decision-making, had fewer past experiences of care-related regret and a lower attitude to risk taking than their counterparts.

CONCLUSION

Neurologists' treatment preferences in NMOSD were mainly driven by efficacy attributes. These results may be useful to design policy decisions and treatment guidelines for this condition.

Preferences Toward Attributes of Disease-Modifying Therapies: The Role of Nurses in Multiple Sclerosis Care

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nurses play an essential role in coordinating the care of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) throughout their disease trajectory in a complex treatment landscape. The aim of this study was to assess nurses' preferences toward different disease-modifying therapy attributes. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter, noninterventional, cross-sectional study in collaboration with the Sociedad Española de Enfermería Neurológica. Nurses actively involved in MS care were invited to participate in the study. Prevention of disability progression, preservation of cognitive function, side effect profile and safety monitoring, and method of administration were the treatment attributes tested. Conjoint analysis was used to assess preferences in 8 simulated treatment options and rank them from most to least preferred. RESULTS: A total of 98 nurses were included in the study. The mean (SD) age was 44.7 (9.8) years, and 91.8% were female with a mean (SD) time of experience in MS care of 7.5 (5.4) years. Participants prioritized preservation of cognition (38.6%), followed by preventing disability progression (35.2%) and side effect risk and safety monitoring (13.5%). Route and frequency of administration were the least preferred attributes (7.4% and 5.3%, respectively). Estimated utilities were consistent across the sample according to sociodemographic and professional practice characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses' preferences toward treatments were mainly driven by efficacy attributes. This information may support the role of nurses in the multidisciplinary management of MS facilitating shared decision making.