OBJECTIVES: To explore the disparity in utilization of recommended first-line regimen of Dexamethasone and Lenalidomide in the new multiple myeloma patients

METHODS: This study included patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma between 1^st Jan 2017 to 31^st Dec 2019 with ICD-9 and ICD-10-CM diagnosis recorded in the Optum® de-identified Market Clarity Dataset, which links medical and pharmacy claims with EHR data from providers across the continuum of care. Patients with continuous eligibility/healthcare activity of pre- and post-index 12 months were included in the study and who didn’t have multiple myeloma diagnosis in pre-index time. We have looked utilization of a doublet regimen of Dexamethasone and Lenalidomide in the post-index period of 12 months and results were descriptively analyzed by race/ethnicity, insurance type, and region to find any disparity. We have only considered when this doublet regimen is used as a first-line treatment.

RESULTS: Among 3,898 new multiple myeloma patients 476 (12%) patients utilized Dexamethasone and Lenalidomide regimen (Rd regimen) as their first-line treatment. 13.5% (19 patients) of Hispanics, 12.8% (352 patients) of Whites, 11.4% (74 patients) of Blacks, and 3.4% (2 patients) of Asians had Rd regimen as first-line therapy. Further statistical test will be applied to analyze the level of significance.

CONCLUSIONS: Blacks and Asians had lower access to Rd first-line regimen in comparison to Whites.