Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) worsens with multiple sclerosis (MS) relapses and disease progression. Common symptoms including depression and fatigue may contribute to poor HRQoL.
Objectives: To report exploratory analyses assessing the impact of fingolimod (FTY720) on HRQoL and depression in a phase II study of relapsing MS.
Methods: The Hamburg Quality of Life Questionnaire in MS (HAQUAMS) and Beck Depression Inventory second edition (BDI-II) scores were assessed during a 6-month, placebo-controlled study and optional extension.
Results: HAQUAMS total score improved with fingolimod and worsened with placebo. Mean score change from baseline to month 6 was -0.02 with fingolimod 1.25 mg (p < 0.05 versus placebo), -0.01 with fingolimod 5.0 mg and + 0.12 with placebo. Categorical data supported a clinically important effect of fingolimod on HRQoL. Fingolimod 1.25 mg was also beneficial over placebo in the fatigue/thinking HAQUAMS sub-domain (p < 0.05 versus placebo). Change in mean BDI-II scores from baseline to month 6 and the proportion of patients with BDI-II scores indicative of clinical depression favored fingolimod 1.25 mg over placebo (p < 0.05 for both). At month 4, mean BDI-II and HAQUAMS total scores appeared to be maintained in fingolimod-treated patients.
Conclusion: Fingolimod 1.25 mg may improve HRQoL and depression at 6 months compared with placebo in patients with relapsing MS.