Effects of BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate) on health-related quality of life in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: findings from the CONFIRM study

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) with symptoms adversely affecting many aspects of everyday living. BG-12 (dimethyl fumarate) demonstrated significant efficacy in the phase III studies DEFINE and CONFIRM in patients with relapsing-remitting MS. In CONFIRM, HRQoL was worse in patients with greater disability at baseline, and who relapsed during the study, and improved with BG-12 treatment. Mean Short Form-36 Physical Component Summary scores for BG-12 increased over 2 years and scores for placebo decreased. Coupled with clinical and neuroradiological benefits, these HRQoL results further support BG-12 as an effective oral treatment for relapsing MS.

Keywords: BG-12; Multiple sclerosis; dimethyl fumarate; glatiramer acetate; quality of life; randomized controlled trial; relapsing–remitting.