Key clinical point: In patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), initiating high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies (heDMT) lowers the risk of Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score worsening and relapses compared to initiating medium-efficacy DMT (meDMT).
Major finding: The absolute probabilities of a 6-month confirmed EDSS score worsening at 2- and 4-year follow-ups were 11.5% and 16.7% for heDMT initiators and 18.3% and 30.1% for meDMT initiators, respectively (hazard ratio [HR], 0.53; P = .006). The heDMT initiators had a lower probability of a first relapse than meDMT initiators (HR, 0.50; 95% confidence interval, 0.37-0.67).
Study details: In this Danish population-based study, 194 patients with RRMS starting initial therapy with heDMT were matched to 194 patients starting meDMT.
Disclosures: There was no targeted funding. The presenting author reported receiving support for congress participation from Roche.
Citation: Buron MD et al. Neurology. 2020 Jul 7. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000010135.