Association between education level and access to disease-modifying treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis in France

Abstract

Background:

We hypothesized that differences in access to disease-modifying treatments (DMTs) could explain the association between socioeconomic status and disability progression in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective:

This study aimed to analyze the association between education level and DMT use in France.

Methods:

All patients from OFSEP network with MS onset over 1996–2014 and aged ⩾ 25 years at onset were included. Three time-to-event outcomes were investigated using flexible parametric survival regression models: time from MS onset to first DMT (any) and to platform therapy, and time from platform therapy to switch to high-efficacy therapy.

Results:

Overall, 7563 patients were included (mean follow-up 12.6 ± 5.9 years). The percentages of patients aged less than 40 years at MS onset and who initiated treatment before the age of 40 years were significantly higher in the groups with a higher education level. The time-to-event outcomes showed no major difference in DMT practices according to education level, except for women who had a significantly shorter time to DMT initiation in medium to very high education level groups versus low, at 5 years from MS clinical onset.

Conclusion:

Our results suggest that the association between education level and MS disability progression does not solely reflect different therapeutic practices, particularly in men.