Unveiling preferences in multiple sclerosis care: insights from an Italian discrete-choice experiment with patients and healthcare professionals

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, demyelinating, neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. Understanding patient and healthcare professional (HCP) preferences for MS treatments is crucial for optimizing therapeutic strategies and improving adherence and outcomes. This Discrete-Choice Experiment (DCE) assesses preferences for various MS treatment attributes among Italian patients and HCPs. The sample included 1069 patients and 186 HCPs. Key attributes evaluated were treatment administration route, frequency, location, and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), such as cognitive impairment, fatigue, and mobility. Data were collected through questionnaires and responses were analyzed to determine the relative importance (RI) and utility of each attribute. Both patients and HCPs highly prioritized PROMs, with cognitive impairments and walking ability being the most critical factors. Patients showed a strong preference for oral administration and treatments administered biannually at home, whereas HCPs preferred hospital-based treatments. The "Time to Progression" attribute was more significant for HCPs than for patients, reflecting different priorities between the groups. The study highlighted the importance of treatment convenience, with patients favoring less-frequent administration schedules and home-based treatment options. This study underscores the necessity of incorporating both patient and HCP perspectives into MS treatment planning. Shared decision-making, which considers individual preferences, can enhance treatment adherence and outcomes. These insights into treatment preferences provide valuable guidance for personalized MS care, aiming to improve patient quality of life and optimize therapeutic efficacy.