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Table 2 Adjusted odds ratios of factors associated with discontinuation of subcutaneous interferon β-1a, three times weekly, at 1, 2, and 3 years, respectively

From: Reasons for discontinuation of subcutaneous interferon β-1a three times a week among patients with multiple sclerosis: a real-world cohort study

Adjusted odds ratio

(95% confidence interval)

sc IFN β-1a tiw

Discontinuation at

1 year (n = 3975)

Discontinuation at

2 years (n = 2592)

Discontinuation at

3 years (n = 1664)

Female sex (vs. male)

NS

NS

1.48 (0.98–2.22)

Region (vs. unknown)

NS

NS

NS

Age in years (continuous)

NS

NS

NS

Charlson comorbidity index (≥1 vs. 0)

NS

NS

NS

Relapses per year (continuous)

NS

1.60 (1.11–2.30)

2.31 (1.27–4.22)

High relapses (≥2 relapses) (vs. no)a

NS

NS

NS

DMD use history (vs. no)

NS

NS

NS

Months of treatment duration (continuous)

NS

NS

NS

No persistence (vs. yes)

NS

NS

NS

Adherence <80% (vs. ≥80%)

180.95 (135.84–241.03)

135.80 (100.10–184.23)

174.90 (115.27–265.38)

Health resource usage

Hospital visits (1 vs. 0, 2 vs. 0, and ≥3vs. 0)

NS

NS

NS

Emergency room visits 1 vs. 0, 2 vs. 0, and ≥3vs. 0)

NS

NS

NS

Nurse visits (1 vs. 0, 2 vs. 0, and ≥3vs. 0)

NS

NS

NS

Neurologist visits (vs. 10+)

 1

0.84 (0.57–1.25)

NS

NS

 2

0.67 (0.47–0.97)

NS

NS

 3+

1.11 (0.84–1.48)

NS

NS

Psychologist visits (1 vs. 0, 2 vs. 0, and ≥3vs. 0)

NS

NS

NS

Psychiatrist visits (1 vs. 0, 2 vs. 0, and ≥3vs. 0)

NS

NS

NS

Speech Therapy visits (1 vs. 0, 2 vs. 0, and ≥3vs. 0)

NS

NS

NS

Outpatients (1 vs. 0, 2 vs. 0, and ≥3vs. 0)

NS

NS

NS

Increasing number of MRI scans (one additional scan versus no increase in number of MRI scans)

1.45 (1.26–1.67)

1.18 (1.06–1.32)

1.20 (1.07–1.34)

Laboratory investigations (vs. 0)

 1

0.61 (0.30–1.25)

NS

NS

 2

0.93 (0.38–2.26)

NS

NS

 3+

2.54 (1.20–5.38)

NS

NS

Baseline corticosteroid use (No = 0, Yes = 1)

NS

NS

NS

Follow-up

NSAID use (vs. no)

NS

NS

NS

Antidepressants use (vs. no)

NS

1.46 (1.10–1.94)

NS

Anxiolitics use (vs. no)

1.40 (1.06–1.82)

NS

NS

Corticosteroid use (vs. no)

NS

NS

NS

  1. DMD disease-modifying drug, IFN interferon, MRI magnetic resonance imaging, NS no significant association with discontinuation, NSAID non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, sc subcutaneous, tiw three times a week
  2. aHigh relapse activity defined as having ≥2 relapses in the first year prior to start of subcutaneous interferon β-1a, three times weekly