Glatiramer acetate and interferon beta-1a for intramuscular administration: a study of outcomes among multiple sclerosis intent-to-treat and persistent-use cohorts.

Objective: To study outcomes of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients treated with either glatiramer acetate (Copaxone) or interferon beta-1a for once-weekly, intramuscular administration (Avonex).

Methods: An 'intent-to-treat' (ITT) cohort (n=1282) was established, consisting of patients diagnosed with MS who began therapy on either glatiramer acetate (GA) or intramuscular interferon beta-1a (IFN beta-1a-IM) and had continuous insurance coverage from 6 months before to 24 months after the date when they began taking the medication. A 'persistent use' (PU) cohort (n=639) was also constructed, consisting of individuals who, in addition to the criteria listed above, had a claim for GA or IFN beta-1a-IM within 28 days of the end of the 2-year post-period.

Glatiramer acetate and interferon beta-1b: a study of outcomes among patients with multiple sclerosis.

Introduction: To study the medical cost and probability of relapse in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with either glatiramer acetate (GA) or interferon beta-1b (IFN beta.1b).

Methods: Data were obtained from the i3 InVision Data Mart Database from July 2001 to June 2006.