Treatment and comorbidities of multiple sclerosis in an employed population in Japan: analysis of health claims data

Neurodegener Dis Manag. 2018 Apr;8(2):97-103. doi: 10.2217/nmt-2017-0047. Epub 2018 Apr 25.

Abstract

Aim: Use real-world data to investigate the treatment, comorbidities and prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in an employed Japanese population.

Methods: Data from the Japanese Medical Data Center health insurance claims database were analyzed (January 2005-November 2014). Patients with claims associated with an MS diagnosis were identified (n = 494) and comorbidities and prescribed treatments were investigated. MS prevalence within the database was calculated for each calendar year (2011-2013) Results: IFN-β and prednisolone were the most commonly prescribed treatments. Common comorbidities included astigmatism and gastric ulcer. Within the database, MS prevalence increased from 0.015 to 0.016%.

Conclusion: MS prevalence increased from 2011 to 2013. Some comorbidities were considered unrelated to MS owing to how physicians use disease codes for reimbursement.

Keywords: Japan; claims database; comorbidity; multiple sclerosis; prevalence; treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Astigmatism / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Comorbidity
  • Databases, Factual / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Insurance, Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Sclerosis / epidemiology*
  • Multiple Sclerosis / therapy*
  • Prevalence
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stomach Ulcer / epidemiology
  • Young Adult