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Researchers investigated whether socioeconomic status (SES) is linked to prescribing patterns of disease-modifying therapy (DMT) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (pwRRMS) in London. Based on a small sample, SES was not a predictive risk factor for DMT prescribing patterns in patients with pwRRMS.

Socioeconomic status (SES), as measured by education, occupation, and income level, may be a predictive risk factor for access to health care. Previous research indicates that individuals with higher socioeconomic advantage tend to receive better care and take greater advantage of preventative services or medical specialist visits than those of lower socioeconomic advantage. As one of the cornerstones of therapy, disease-modifying therapy (DMT) is a complex part of multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment management.

Researchers examined DMT prescribing patterns in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (pwRRMS) through a cross-sectional analysis. Data for the study was obtained from the Royal London Hospital between July and September 2017. The SES of individuals was assessed through patient education and income data from the English Index of Multiple Deprivation. The ultimate objective of the study was to analyze potential disparities in SES and DMT prescribing patterns among pwRRMS.

Results from the study showed that patient income level was not linked to an increased likelihood of being treated with high- or very-high efficacy DMTs. Similar results were found in patients with varying education levels in which patient education level was not linked to treatment with high- or very-high efficacy DMTs.

As demonstrated by the results of this analysis, patient education and income level were not associated with DMT prescribing patterns in patients with pwRRMS. However, further research is needed to confirm these results as they may be affected by other factors, including location. Healthcare providers may still want to consider SES in patients with pwRRMS who may need appropriate care.

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Source:
Reyes, S., Suarez, S., Allen-Philbey, K., Yildiz, ร–., Mathews, J., Anjorin, G., Edwards, F., Jain, C., Turner, B., Marta, M., Gnanapavan, S., Schmierer, K., & Giovannoni, G. (2020). Socioeconomic status and disease-modifying therapy prescribing patterns in people with multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler Relat Disord, 41, 102024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msard.2020.102024