The study sample comprised commercial and MAPD enrollees who initiated fingolimod treatment during the identification period of 01 January 2012 through 10 May 2018. The date of the first fingolimod pharmacy claim during the identification period was the index date.
All patients were continuously enrolled in the health plan for 24 months. The 6-month pre-index period, ending the day before the index date, was used to assess patients' clinical characteristics (e.g., comorbid conditions and MS symptoms). The 18-month post-index period started on the index date. The first 6 months of the post-index period (initiation period) were used to assess MS symptoms and adherence. Months 7 - 18 of the post-index period (post-initiation period) were used to measure adherence and outcomes. The 24-month observation period for each patient comprised the 6-month pre-index and 18-month post-index periods.
