Disease-modifying drug initiation patterns in commercially insured multiple sclerosis patients: a retrospective cohort study

Table 4 Factors Associated with Initiation of DMD Therapy

Parameter	Hazard Ratio	Pr > ChiSq	Standard Error
Gender (reference: male)
Female	0.998	0.949	0.037
Age group (reference: 18-34)
Age 35-44	0.845	<0.001	0.045
Age 45-54	0.641	<0.001	0.045
Age 55-64	0.424	<0.001	0.055
Age 65+	0.107	<0.001	0.112
Pre-index comorbidities
Deyo-Charlson Comorbidity Index	0.867	<0.001	0.020
Loss of coordination	1.537	<0.001	0.080
Headache	0.797	<0.001	0.042
Sleep disorders	0.781	0.002	0.079
Pressure ulcer	0.225	0.003	0.501
Pre-index pharmacotherapy
Anti-fatigue agent use	0.824	0.018	0.082
Azathioprine use	0.289	0.003	0.410
Corticosteroid use	1.081	0.031	0.036
Muscle relaxant use	0.823	<0.001	0.042
Pre-index testing
Electrocardiogram	0.883	0.001	0.038
Nuclear MRI	2.361	<0.001	0.035
Spinal tap	1.819	<0.001	0.043

* Table was created using a Cox Model adjusting for time to DMD initiation. The dependent variable was days to DMD initiation. Shown in this table are those factors of statistical significance (except gender). There were more parameters modeled in each category and others eliminated using backward selection.

ISSN: 1471-2377