Characterizing the ‘feel-good experience’ in multiple sclerosis patients treated with natalizumab or other therapies

Abstract

Aim: Patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) treated with natalizumab have anecdotally reported a ‘feel-good experience’ (FGE). The authors characterized the FGE using survey data from patients with RRMS treated with natalizumab or other disease-modifying therapies (other-DMT). Methods: Questionnaire data from RRMS patients who use MyMSTeam, an online patient social network, were analyzed. Results: The survey included 347 patients (95 natalizumab; 252 other-DMT). More natalizumab than other-DMT patients self-reported having an FGE (62.1 vs 44.8%; p = 0.001) as well as other physical, emotional and cognitive benefits. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that physical, emotional and cognitive benefits were more commonly reported by patients treated with natalizumab than those treated with other disease-modifying therapies and helps characterize patient-reported factors associated with the FGE.