Sociodemographic data of the examined MS patients.

Sociodemographic data of the examined MS patients.</p

Correlation plot for the associations between variables and polypharmacy status.

The symmetric correlation matrix was created using the “corrplot” R package. The colours represent the degree of pairwise correlation regarding Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (rho). The crosses indicate absence of correlation (asymptomatic t approximation p-values > 0.05). For example, EDSS and the number of symptomatic drugs as well as age and comorbidities correlated with each other. DMD, disease-modifying drug; EDSS, expanded disability status scale; OTC, over-the-counter; PRN, pro re nata.</p

Comparison of routes of drug administration between patients with and without polypharmacy.

Comparison of routes of drug administration between patients with and without polypharmacy.</p

Comparison of sociodemographic data between patients with and without polypharmacy.

Comparison of sociodemographic data between patients with and without polypharmacy.</p

Comparison of polypharmacy rates between patients with and without comorbidities at different levels of disability.

The patients were split into four groups according to EDSS score and the presence of comorbidities. (1) Pw/oSI with EDSS ≤ 2.0 (that is, below the median of the total population): Three of the 35 patients had polypharmacy (8.6%). (2) Pw/oSI with EDSS > 2.0: Five of the 33 patients had polypharmacy (15.2%). (3) PwSI with EDSS ≤ 2.0: Ten of the 29 patients had polypharmacy (34.5%). (4) PwSI with EDSS > 2.0: Twenty-six of the 48 patients had polypharmacy (54.2%). Considering all four polypharmacy rates, the highest proportion of polypharmacy occurred in MS patients with comorbidity and high EDSS scores. Using both factors in a logistic regression model of polypharmacy yielded an overall prediction accuracy rate of 71.7%. EDSS, expanded disability status scale; MS, multiple sclerosis; Pw/oSI, patients without secondary illnesses; PwSI, patients with secondary illnesses.</p

Comparison of clinical data between patients with and without polypharmacy.

Comparison of clinical data between patients with and without polypharmacy.</p

Comparison of pharmacological data between patients with and without polypharmacy.

Comparison of pharmacological data between patients with and without polypharmacy.</p

Frequency of medication use in MS patients.

Frequency of medication use in MS patients.</p

Comparison of sociodemographic data between patients with and without comorbidities.

Comparison of sociodemographic data between patients with and without comorbidities.</p

Comorbidities of the MS cohort (N = 145).

Comorbidities of the MS cohort (N = 145).</p