Change in multiple sclerosis prevalence over time in Australia 2010–2017 utilising disease-modifying therapy prescription data

Abstract

Objective: Determine the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Australia in 2017 using MS-specific disease-modifying therapy (DMT) prescription data and estimate the change in prevalence from 2010. Methods: DMT prescriptions were extracted from Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) data for January–December 2017. Percentages of people with MS using DMTs (DMT penetrance) were calculated using data from the Australian MS Longitudinal Study. Prevalence was estimated by dividing the total number of monthly prescriptions by 12 (except alemtuzumab), adjusted for DMT penetrance and Australian population estimates. Prevalences in Australian states/territories were age-standardised to t..