ObjectivesTo assess the impact of reduced frequency of oral therapies from multiple-dosing schedules to a once-daily (OD) dosing schedule on adherence, compliance, persistence, and associated economic impact.MethodsA meta-analysis was performed based on relevant articles identified from a comprehensive literature review using MEDLINE® and Embase®. The review included studies assessing adherence with OD, twice-daily (BID), thrice-daily (TID), and four-times daily (QID) dosing schedules and costs associated with optimal/suboptimal adherence among patients with acute and chronic diseases. Effect estimates across studies were pooled and analyzed using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effect model.ResultsForty-three studies met inclusion criteria, and meta-analyzable data were available from 13 studies. The overall results indicated that OD schedules were associated with higher adherence rates (odds ratio [OR] 3.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.80–5.23; P < 0.001 for OD versus > OD dosing) and compliance rates (OR 3.50, 95% CI 1.73–7.08; P < 0.001 for OD versus > OD dosing); persistence rates showed the same direction but were not statistically significant (OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.62–3.29; P = 0.405 for OD versus BID dosing). Results for each of the conditions were consistent with those observed overall with respect to showing the benefits of less frequent dosing. From a health economic perspective, higher adherence rates with OD relative to multiple dosing in a number of conditions were consistently associated with corresponding lower costs of health care resources utilization.ConclusionCurrent meta-analyses suggested that across acute and chronic disease states, reducing dosage frequency from multiple dosing to OD dosing may improve adherence to therapies among patients. Improving adherence may result in subsequent decreases in health care costs.

ObjectiveTo report the efficacy and safety of erenumab among episodic migraine (EM) patients who were unsuccessful on 2–4 preventive treatments observed at week 64 of Open-Label Extension Phase (OLEP) of the LIBERTY study (ClinicalTrials.govNCT03096834).MethodsThe OLEP evaluating monthly erenumab 140 mg for 3 years, enrolled 240 patients who completed the double-blind treatment phase (DBTP) of 12 weeks during which they received placebo or erenumab 140 mg subcutaneous injections every 4 weeks as monotherapy. Efficacy outcomes were evaluated through the initial 52 weeks of OLEP (from DBTP baseline to total 64 weeks) in the overall population, patients receiving erenumab in DBTP, and patients from DBTP placebo arm who switched to erenumab in OLEP. Endpoints included reduction of ≥50% in monthly migraine days (MMD) from DBTP baseline and change in MMD from DBTP baseline, Headache Impact Test, and Migraine Physical Function Impact Diary (Physical Impairment and Everyday Activities) scores.ResultsAltogether, the week 52 visit of the OLEP was completed by 204/240 (85.0%) patients. Among patients continuing erenumab, the 50% responder rate increase from 29.9% at weeks 9%–12% to 44.3% at week 61–64. The 50% responder rate in patients who initiated erenumab in the OLEP remained higher in the OLEP (50.0% at week 61–64) than during DBTP (14.2% at weeks 9–12) compared to patients in continuous erenumab arm. In the OLEP, the 50% responder rate for the overall population increased from weeks 13–16 until weeks 37–40 and then remained stable through weeks 61–64. Patients treated with erenumab in DBTP showed sustained effects on all efficacy outcomes; those initiating erenumab in the OLEP demonstrated continued improvement from week 13 onward. Adverse events (AEs) were reported, considering both treatment groups, by ∼80.8% (serious AEs [SAEs] by 6.7%); 76.3% (5.9%) in the continuing erenumab arm; and 85.2% (7.4%) in those starting erenumab in OLEP. No deaths were reported.ConclusionsIn patients with EM who were unsuccessful on 2–4 prior preventive treatments, the LIBERTY study demonstrated sustained efficacy on erenumab monotherapy treatment through 64 weeks in both treatment arms. Safety of erenumab was consistent with that observed in previous clinical trials.Classification of evidenceThe current study provides Class IV evidence on data from patients with episodic migraine, that erenumab is safe and provides sustained efficacy at 52 weeks.Clinicaltrials.gov identifierNCT03096834.