Risk factors for infusion-related reactions following Ocrelizumab infusion in a community setting: Development of an electronic medical record-based explanatory model.

BACKGROUND

In 2017, ocrelizumab became the first FDA approved disease modifying therapy (DMT) for primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). Although effective, adverse infusion-related reactions (IRR), such as erythema, pruritus, hives, and throat irritation, were frequently reported.

OBJECTIVE

To develop an explanatory model of factors associated with increased odds of IRR development to further enhance clinical decision-making when administering ocrelizumab in a community setting.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed (n = 422) by extracting patient demographic factors and co-occurring conditions and symptoms from electronic medical records. Bivariate analyses were conducted to examine which demographic and clinical characteristics were associated with IRR development, and variables with a p-value of <.10 were then entered into a logistic regression to create the explanatory model.

RESULTS

Being female (odds ratio [OR]: 2.60), Hispanic/Latinx (OR: 3.98), and having a history of a co-occurring tremor (OR: 3.78) were risk factors for increased odds of having an IRR.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings may be helpful in guiding clinical practice routines and improving patient expectations regarding the likelihood of IRR development based on their individual demographics and co-occurring conditions and symptoms.