First-line disease-modifying drugs in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis: an Italian real-life multicenter study on persistence

AbstractObjective: The introduction of oral disease-modifying drugs (DMDs) in addition to the available, injectable, ones for relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) could be expected to improve medication persistence due to a greater acceptability of the routeof administration. The aim of the study was to compare the proportion of patients discontinuinginjectable DMDs (interferon beta 1a/1b, pegylated interferon, glatiramer acetate) with those discontinuingoral DMDs (dimethylfumarate and teriflunomide) during an observation period of at least 12 months. Secondary aims were to compare the time to discontinuationand the reasons for discontinuationbetween the two groups and to explore the demographic and clinical factors associated with DMD discontinuation.Methods: In this prospective, multi-center, real-life observational study, patients commencing any first-line DMD between 1 January 2015 and 31 July 2016 were enrolled and followed up for at least 12 months or until the drug was discontinued.Re...