title: Comparative effectiveness of delayed-release dimethyl fumarate versus glatiramer acetate in multiple sclerosis patients: results of a matching-adjusted indirect comparison.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Using matching-adjusted indirect comparison, we compared efficacy outcomes in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with delayed-release dimethyl fumarate (DMF) or glatiramer acetate (GA).
  
  
  METHODS
  An indirect comparison of DMF (patient-level data) and GA (aggregate data) was conducted, with average baseline characteristics of DMF patients weighted to match those for GA patients. Direct comparison of DMF and GA was conducted in CONFIRM. Final results pooled the indirect and direct comparisons using meta-analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After matching, baseline characteristics were balanced between DMF and GA patients. Compared with GA, efficacy was significantly in favor of DMF as measured by annualized relapse rate (rate ratio: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.57-1.00; p = 0.0474) and 12-week confirmed disability progression (risk ratio: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.46-0.76; p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DMF demonstrated superior clinical efficacy versus GA.
authors.affiliation: Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cutter
authors.affiliation: Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Treatment & Research, Department of Biostatistics, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: Biogen, Cambridge, MA, USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Biogen, Cambridge, MA, USA.
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lewin
authors.affiliation: Biogen, Cambridge, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057186:Comparative Effectiveness Research / Q000379:methods*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D000069462:Dimethyl Fumarate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D000069462:Dimethyl Fumarate
keywords: comparative effectiveness; delayed-release dimethyl fumarate; glatiramer acetate; multiple sclerosis