Adoption of Oral Disease-Modifying Treatments for Multiple Sclerosis in Europe and the United States between 2012 and 2015

A retrospective chart review of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in EU (UK/France/Germany/Italy/Spain) and the United States (US) was conducted to evaluate adoption of oral disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) for MS, and corresponding patient disease characteristics. In 2012 and 2015 respectively, 3490 (EU2479, US1011) and 3732 (EU2724, US1008) charts were ed. Use of oral DMT increased (EU11.3-35.6 %, US9.2-40.0 %) between 2012-2015 with the largest increase observed in first line therapy, and the percentage citing oral administration or patient decision as reasons for choice of DMT increased over this time period. Among oral DMT users, the proportion with moderate/severe disease severity (EU74.8-45.5 %, US64.4-48.8 %) and mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores (EU3.6-2.7, US3.2-3.0) decreased between 2012-2015, while remaining stable for non-oral DMT users. Further research is warranted to evaluate the drivers behind the observed trends and impact of individual DMTs on patient outcomes.