A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Comorbidities in newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients: A population-based register study in Finland
Authors: Ahvenjärvi, Henrik; Krüger, Johanna; Viitala, Matias; Jokinen, Elina; Autio, Henri; Portaankorva, Anne M.; Soilu-Hänninen, Merja; Ryytty, Mervi
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Multiple Sclerosis Journal - Experimental, Translational and Clinical
Article number: 20552173251411076
Volume: 12
Issue: 1
eISSN: 2055-2173
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/20552173251411076
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1177/20552173251411076
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/508835941
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY NC
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
Background
Comorbidities are common among people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) and have been suggested to affect the usage of disease-modifying treatments (DMTs).
ObjectivesWe investigated the prevalence and types of comorbidities in newly diagnosed pwMS, as well as the associations between comorbidities and the choice and persistence of the initial DMT.
MethodsThis retrospective register study used data from the Finnish MS register (85% of national coverage). The inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS between 2010 and 2022, the first DMT started between 2016 and 2022, and an age of at least 18 years. The exclusion criteria were a diagnosis of secondary progressive MS and initiation of azathioprine or mitoxantrone.
ResultsThe inclusion criteria were met by 1630 pwMS. At least one comorbidity was present in 50.9% of the pwMS. Respiratory comorbidities were associated with the choice of medium-efficacy DMT over high-efficacy DMT (OR = 0.58, CI = 0.36–0.91). Multicomorbidity was associated with lower persistence on all DMTs. Additionally, lower persistence on medium-efficacy DMTs was associated with autoimmune and psychiatric comorbidities and the injectable administration route.
ConclusionsComorbidities are prevalent among newly diagnosed pwMS. Clinicians should consider comorbidities carefully, as they are associated with DMT persistence.
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Funding information in the publication:
The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This research collaboration study received funding from Novartis Finland Ltd. H Ahvenjärvi has received research grants from the Finnish Neurological Society, the Finnish Cultural Foundation, the Finnish MS Foundation and the University of Oulu Scholarship Foundation, support for conference and education session participation from Novartis and Orion, and honoraria for consultant services from Novartis. E Jokinen is a former employee of Novartis Finland Ltd. H Autio is a former employee of Novartis Ltd. M Viitala is an employee of StellarQ Ltd. M Soilu-Hänninen has served as an adviser or speaker for Biogen, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi, and Teva, and received support for congress participation from Biogen, Merck, and Novartis. J Krüger has served on the advisory board of Eisai, Lilly, Novartis, Nutricia, Roche, and Roche Diagnostics, received honoraria from lectures from Bioarctic and Lilly, and received support for congress participation from Merck and Lilly. AM Portaankorva reports no conflicts of interest. M Ryytty has received honoraria for lectures, advisory boards, congress visit, or for serving as an investigator for clinical trials from AbbVie, Biogen, Merck, Novartis, Roche, and Sanofi. The Finnish MS Foundation, Pohjois-Pohjanmaan Rahasto, Oulun Yliopiston Tukisäätiö, Finnish Neurological Society (grant numbers 60212346, 60221946, and 20230121).
