Identifying Patients With Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis Using Algorithms Applied to US Integrated Delivery Network Healthcare Data.

Background: Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) has a major impact on affected patients; therefore, improved understanding of RRMS is important, particularly in the context of real-world evidence.

Objectives: To develop and validate algorithms for identifying patients with RRMS in both unstructured clinical notes found in electronic health records (EHRs) and structured/coded health care claims data.

Methods: US Integrated Delivery Network data (2010-2014) were queried for study inclusion criteria (possible multiple sclerosis [MS] base cohort): one or more MS diagnosis code, patients aged 18 years or older, 1 year or more baseline history, and no other demyelinating diseases.