A pilot study examining patient preference and satisfaction for ava®, a reusable electronic injection device to administer certolizumab pegol

Abstract

Background: Anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) adherence is suboptimal. ava®, a reusable electromechanical self-injection device (e-Device) developed for certolizumab pegol (CZP) administration, aims to overcome some barriers to increase adherence. This study evaluates patient experience of the e-Device and its training materials and determines patient device preference. Methods: CZP-treated patients were recruited from the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. Patients completed a pre-injection Assessment of Self-Injection (ASI) questionnaire investigating self-injection perception. After training, patients administered 3 consecutive self-injections using the e-Device, patient experience of each was assessed using the post-injection ASI. An additional questionnaire evaluated training materials. After Injection 3, patients indicated their preference: the e-Device or their previous device. Results: 59 patients participated; most rated the e-Device highly for satisfaction, self-confidence and ease of use. The (negative) feelings and pain and skin reactions domains had low ratings. Post-injection ASI domain scores were similar following each of the 3 e-Device injections. Training materials were rated highly (video: 8.4/10; step-by-step guide: 8.4/10). 57.1% (32/56) patients preferred the e-Device over their previous self-injection device. Conclusions: Patients were satisfied with the e-Device and most preferred it over other self-injection devices. By improving patient experience, the e-Device may help increase medication adherence.

A multicenter, open-label study to evaluate the safe and effective use of a new electromechanical auto-injection device for self-injection of certolizumab pegol

“…After using the e-Device, patients rated it highly for satisfaction, self-confidence and ease of use at both visits. These results are comparable to a previously published report using the ASI to assess this e-Device [20]. Patients felt they experienced fewer negative feelings about self-injection when injecting with the e-Device at Visit 2, compared to their preinjection ASI questionnaire scores.…”

“…After self-injection at Visit 2, patients completed a preference questionnaire to assess their preference between the e-Device and the PFS [10,20]. The questionnaire included nine questions asking patients which device they preferred for specific attributes (e.g.…”

The Digital Way to Intercept Psoriatic Arthritis

“…Furthermore, e-Device aims to minimize the patient needle phobia, and the concern about safety in the treatment administration, giving the patient an electronic device that provide the administration (57). Some patients reported a higher satisfaction, self-confidence, safety, and feasibility of e-Device, compared with pre-filled pen and syringes (55,58,59). The use of e-Device could both assess the adherence to treatment, enable patients to track their own data, perform self-assessments, and deliver questionnaires.…”

“…Digital reminders, via applications or websites, may be a more feasible alternative to phone calls or mail and could show similar efficacy, especially when well designed and integrating offers such as social support sections or gamification elements ( 54 ). Of interest is the recently developed reusable electromechanical self-injection device (e-Device ava ® ) for treatment administration of certolizumab ( 55 ). Tailoring self-injection devices to individual patient preference may improve adherence to treatment and help the patients in remembering the date of self-injections ( 55 , 56 ).…”

“…Of interest is the recently developed reusable electromechanical self-injection device (e-Device ava ® ) for treatment administration of certolizumab ( 55 ). Tailoring self-injection devices to individual patient preference may improve adherence to treatment and help the patients in remembering the date of self-injections ( 55 , 56 ). Furthermore, e-Device aims to minimize the patient needle phobia, and the concern about safety in the treatment administration, giving the patient an electronic device that provide the administration ( 57 ).…”