Assess MeNt o F INdIrect costs ANd Abse Ntee Is M due to s Ick LeAVe beFore ANd AFter tre At MeNt INIt IAt Io N For MuL tIPLe scLerosIs IN A u.s. NA tIoNAL dA t AbAse

bAckgrouNd: Only limited data are available on the effect of different Disease Modifying Treatments (DMTs) on indirect costs due to sick leave among employed individuals treated for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). obJectIVes: To assess changes in indirect costs and absences due to sick leave among employees treated with DMTs for MS. MetHods: A healthcare claims database of US employees from 2001-2008 was used to identify patients with MS (2 DMT prescriptions or a DMT prescription and an MS diagnosis [ICD-9=340.X]). Costs associated with absenteeism were based on sick leave data recorded by the employers. Employees with at least 6-months history before DMT initialization and 6-month follow-up data were included in the analysis. T-tests were used to compare before, after, and changes in indirect costs and absenteeism between and within DMT groups.