Real-world study of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with Teriflunomide in Nordic countries: Quality-Of-Life, efficacy, safety and adherence outcomes

• Published in: Multiple sclerosis and related disorders 2022-07, Vol.63, p.103892-103892, Article 103892
• Main Authors: Hestvik, Anne Lise K., Frederiksen, Jette Lautrup, Nielsen, Helle Hvilsted, Torkildsen, Øivind, Eek, Camilla, Huang-Link, Yumin, Haghighi, Sara, Tsai, Jon A., Kant, Matthias
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adherence; Health economic outcomes; Multiple sclerosis; Quality-of-life; Teriflunomide; Treatment satisfaction
• ISSN: 2211-0348; 2211-0356; 2211-0356
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.103892

•Teri-LIFE is the first observational study carried out in the Nordic region to assess quality-of-life (QoL), treatment satisfaction, efficacy, safety, and health economic outcomes in persons with relapsing MS treated with teriflunomide in routine clinical practice.•200 patients were enrolled and followed for up to 24 months.•QoL remained stable over the course of the study, while treatment satisfaction scores highlighted the convenience and reduced side effects of this once-daily oral medication.•Efficacy and safety outcomes were consistent with previous clinical trials and real-world studies. Teriflunomide 14 mg (Aubagio®) is a once-daily, oral drug approved for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). While the efficacy and safety of teriflunomide have been thoroughly characterised across an extensive clinical program, we were interested in studying performance of the drug with respect to quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes in persons with MS in a real-world setting. Teri-LIFE was a prospective, open label, non-interventional, observational, multi-centre study that enrolled 200 teriflunomide-treated patients from three Nordic countries. The primary outcome measure changes in patient-reported QoL over 24 months as measured by the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire. Secondary endpoints included clinical efficacy, fatigue, safety, treatment satisfaction (Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication version 1.4 (TSQM-1.4)), treatment adherence, and health economic outcomes. Most assessments were made at baseline and then at 6-monthly intervals. Overall, changes in SF-36 scores from baseline to last visit indicated a stable QoL during treatment with teriflunomide for up to 24 months. Relapse activity decreased during the study compared to the pre-baseline period (p