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Table 2 Characteristics of patients in the current fingolimod (CF) and current dimethyl fumarate (CDMF) groups

From: The real-world patient experience of fingolimod and dimethyl fumarate for multiple sclerosis

Characteristic, n (%)

CF (N = 61)

CDMF (N = 129)

MS medication before taking this therapy

 Copaxone (glatiramer acetate)

17 (27.9 %)

25 (19.4 %)

 Tysabri (natalizumab)

9 (14.8 %)

21 (16.3 %)

 No other med, this was first drug

9 (14.8 %)

14 (10.9 %)

 Tecfidera or Gilenya (Dimethyl Fumerate)

6 (9.8 %)

14 (10.9 %)

 Avonex (interferon beta1a)

6 (9.8 %)

11 (8.5 %)

 Rebif (interferon beta 1a)

5 (8.2 %)

24 (18.6 %)

 Betaseron (interferon beta1b)

5 (8.2 %)

4 (3.1 %)

 Other medicine not listed

2 (3.3 %)

1 (0.8 %)

 No other med, took break from treatment

1 (1.6 %)

12 (9.3 %)

 Aubagio (teriflunomide)

1 (1.6 %)

2 (1.6 %)

 Extavia (interferon beta 1b)

0 (0.0 %)

1 (0.8 %)

Reasons switched to current therapy

 Previous medication side effects

  Yes

33 (67.3 %)

45 (44.1 %)

  No

16 (32.7 %)

57 (55.9 %)

 Wanted to take oral treatment

  Yes

31 (63.3 %)

63 (61.8 %)

  No

18 (36.7 %)

39 (38.2 %)

 Previous medication lack of effectiveness

  Yes

19 (38.8 %)

32 (31.4 %)

  No

30 (61.2 %)

70 (68.6 %)

 Struggled to take previous medication as prescribed

  Yes

16 (32.7 %)

16 (15.7 %)

  No

33 (67.3 %)

86 (84.3 %)

 Concerns regarding safety of previous medication

  Yes

14 (28.6 %)

28 (27.5 %)

  No

35 (71.4 %)

74 (72.5 %)

 Another reason not listed

  Yes

9 (18.4 %)

25 (24.5 %)

  No

40 (81.6 %)

77 (75.5 %)

 Change in health status

  Yes

8 (16.3 %)

24 (23.5 %)

  No

41 (83.7 %)

78 (76.5 %)

 Financial reasons

  Yes

2 (4.1 %)

4 (3.9 %)

  No

47 (95.9 %)

98 (96.1 %)