title: Use of diagnostic tests and procedures for disease-modifying therapy users and non-disease-modifying therapy users with multiple sclerosis.
abstract: We examined the use of 23 diagnostic procedures and monitoring tests for users of disease-modifying therapy (DMT) and non-DMT users with multiple sclerosis (MS). The Medstat MarketScan(®) Commercial Claims and Encounters database (2003-2007), which is composed of medical and pharmacy claims for approximately 8 million beneficiaries from 45 US commercial health plans, was used to identify DMT users with an index claim for an MS drug and a 6-month baseline period without MS drugs. Patients were followed for 12 months. Logistic regression models were used to estimate differences in rates and proportion of patients receiving procedures and tests between cohorts. Baseline rates for DMT users (n = 12,455) included MRIs (76.8%), spinal taps (15.7%), neuropsychological testing (4.7%), chemistry panels (61.4%), complete blood cell counts (76.7%) and liver function tests (60.5%). Relative to non-DMT users (n = 25,534), DMT users were more likely to receive an MRI, neuropsychological testing, chemistry panels, complete blood cell counts and liver function tests.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, C238-L15, University of Colorado Denver, Academic Office 1, 12631 E. 17th Avenue, Room L15-1406, PO Box 6511, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. kavita.nair@ucdenver.edu
authors.forename: Kavita V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Corboy
authors.forename: Kristijan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kahler
authors.forename: Richard Read
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Vahram
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ghushcyan
authors.forename: Robert Brett
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: McQueen
authors.forename: Jacci
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bainbridge
authors.forename: Homa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dastani
authors.forename: Nikita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mody-Patel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006403:Hematologic Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008942:Mitoxantrone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069442:Natalizumab; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000069442:Natalizumab; D010455:Peptides; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta; D008942:Mitoxantrone