University education facilitates uptake of disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis: A community-based study using the UK MS Register

Abstract

Background: Higher education is associated with better job opportunities and higher income. Objectives: Herein, the impact of education on the uptake of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) in a publicly funded health care system was examined using the UK MS Register. Methods: All adult participants with relapsing remitting MS diagnosed between 2008 and 2021 were included. Those without data regarding their education levels were excluded. Binary, multinomial and Cox regression models were used to examine the association between education levels and uptake of DMTs. Results: A total of 6317 participants fulfilled all inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 1826/2923 (62%) participants with a university education were treated with DMTs, compared to 1788/3394 (53%) participants with school/diploma received DMTs with an odds ratio of 1.318 (1.178–1.473). Participants with a university education were more likely to be treated with both moderate- and high-efficacy DMTs, compared to others, with odds ratios of 1.227 (1.087–1.385) and 1.545 (1.325–1.802), respectively. University education was also a positive predictor for faster initiation of DMTs, and, importantly, higher-efficacy DMTs. Conclusion: In a publicly funded health care system, despite intended equality of access, university education was associated with a higher uptake of DMTs.