In this population of patients initiating disease-modifying drug (DMD) treatment within 2 years of multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis, mean time to first DMD was 112.6 days, a recent study found. Identifying factors associated with delayed treatment may provide better understanding of the reasons for delay, leading to improved disease management. This retrospective cohort study included newly diagnosed patients with MS from a US administrative claims database, aged 18–65 years, with a first MS diagnosis between January 1, 2007, and June 30, 2013. Researchers found:

• 37.4% of patients initiated DMD treatment within 2 years of MS diagnosis and were included in the primary analysis (n= 7,124).
• Mean (standard deviation [SD]) time from MS diagnosis to first DMD was 112.6 (148.3) days (median=51); 30.7% received first DMD in <30 days, 55.1% in <60 days, and 18.5% not until ≥180 days after diagnosis.
• Logistic regression found that younger age; not living in the Northeast; diagnoses of balance disorders, numbness, and optical neuritis; the absence of musculoskeletal diagnoses; and a neurologist visit or MRI within 90 days before diagnosis were associated with DMD initiation within 60 days.