This retrospective, observational cohort study used administrative claims data contained in the International Business Machines (IBM)® Truven Marketscan® Research Databases to describe demographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who were initiated on siponimod, and other Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). The study time period was from March 2018 through June 2020 (most recent available data) and included a 1-year baseline period and a variable-length follow-up period (a minimum of 6 months follow-up required for post-index outcomes). The index date was defined as the date of the first claim for siponimod or other MS-specific treatment on or after March 2019.

The data analysis was performed on a combination of early view and standard view data. The initial data analysis was from Standard Marketscan data used for patients with index data prior to the year 2019. Both standard view and early view data were used for patients indexed after January 1, 2019. The early view data provided additional visibility as it contains an additional 2 quarters of data compared to standard data.

Inclusion criteria

• With 1 or more claims of siponimod or MS-related FDA-approved DMT during the index calendar year. The date of first claim was the index date.
• With 1 or more MS diagnosis for 12 months prior to the index date [inclusive].
• Were continuously enrolled in pharmacy and medical benefits for 12 months prior to the index date [inclusive].
• Include patients who were 18 years or older on the index date.
• Include patients continuously enrolled in pharmacy and medical benefits from the index date [inclusive] to 6 months/12 months post-index date.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with 1 or more claims of index drug within 12 months prior to index date.

This was a retrospective, noninterventional cohort study.