Key clinical point: Polypharmacy is common in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and is negatively associated with health outcomes.
Major finding: The rates of polypharmacy among patients with MS ranged from 14.9% to 59% across the studies that were reviewed. Polypharmacy was significantly associated with increased hospitalization rates, cognitive deficits, fatigue, higher relapse rates, and a lower quality of life, particularly among elderly patients.
Study details: The data come from a qualitative systematic review of 7 studies.
Disclosures: Niklas Frahm has received travel funds for research meetings from Novartis. Michael Hecker received speaking fees and travel funds from Bayer HealthCare, Biogen, Merck Serono, Novartis, and Teva. Uwe Klaus Zettl received research support and lecture fees or travel funds from Almirall, Alexion, Bayer HealthCare, Biogen, Merck Serono, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and Teva.
Citation: Frahm N et al. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2020 Jan 27. doi: 10.1080/14740338.2020.1720646.