Safety Monitoring for Disease Modifying Therapies in Multiple Sclerosis: Patient and Provider Adherence

Background: The increasing emergence of new disease modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) has led to more extensive safety and efficacy monitoring.  Our MS providers at the Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Clinic at the University of Colorado Denver (RMMSC at UCD) have developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for several DMTs to guide their use.  There is currently no data as to whether the implementation of the SOPs aids in adherence to DMT safety and efficacy monitoring or if alternative procedures or additional resources are warranted.   

Objectives: Our objectives are to (1) evaluate the adherence and timeliness of baseline and follow-up monitoring requirements in each SOP and (2) to identify potential adherence barriers.

Methods: This is a quality improvement study utilizing retrospective chart review data.  The data will consist of patients with a clinical diagnosis of MS being treated at the RMMSC at UCD between 06/01/2013 and 06/01/2016 with at least one of four DMTs with a SOP in place during this time period (fingolimod, rituximab, natalizumab, dimethyl fumarate).  Baseline through 24 month follow up parameters were evaluated for completion and timeliness based on SOP recommended monitoring time points, as well as for individual patients, providers, and DMTs. 

Results: There are no results for this study yet. 

Conclusions: Safety and efficacy monitoring of DMTs for MS is becoming increasingly complicated.  This study aimed to determine how adherent patients and providers are with respect to their DMT monitoring.  Additionally, we wanted to identify potential monitoring adherence barriers that can aid in the improvement of the current SOPs and the development of additional resources to ensure safety and efficacy monitoring adherence.