The effectiveness of teriflunomide in patients with multiple sclerosis in China: a real-world comparison to no DMT treatment in the first year after diagnosis

Background: Teriflunomide is a first-line oral immunomodulatory agent approved in China for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis. Objective: To compare outcomes teriflunomide and no disease-modifying therapy (DMT) (in first year) multi-center real-world Chinese sclerosis patients. Design: Retrospective study. Methods: This study was conducted five tertiary hospitals different geographical regions China. We collected clinical data patients treated with DMT between 1 January 2017 31 August 2021. The effectiveness described. Potential factors influencing were investigated. Results: A total 372 148 included. 292 at least 6 months, described as stable cohort. annualized relapse rate significantly lower cohort than (0.23 ± 0.47 versus 0.87 0.67, p < 0.001). mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score (1.77 1.62) slightly from that (2.09 2.00). previous ⩾1, EDSS ⩾2, long disease duration ⩾5 years associated better effectiveness. Conclusion: less disability accumulation