Patient satisfaction, preferences, expectations, characteristics, and impact of suboptimal control of rheumatoid arthritis: A subgroup analysis of Japanese patients from a large international cohort study (SENSE)

Abstract

Objective To evaluate treatment satisfaction, disease outcomes, and perspectives of patients with poorly controlled rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with conventional synthetic, targeted synthetic, or biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), we conducted a subgroup (post hoc) analysis of Japanese patients participating in the SENSE study. Methods Data for Japanese patients (n/N = 118/1629) from the global, multicenter, cross-sectional, observational SENSE study were analyzed. The primary endpoint was the global satisfaction subscore assessed using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) version 1.4. Other patient-reported outcomes included self-reported RA medication adherence and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment-RA. Patient perspectives included patients’ expectations and preference of pharmacologic treatment. Results Median (range) age and RA disease duration were 67.0 (18.0–87.0) years and 8 (0.0-54) years, respectively; 81.4% of patients were female. Mean (SD) TSQM global satisfaction subscore was 56.8 (17.5), and only 5.9% of patients reported good satisfaction with treatment (TSQM global ≥80). Mean (SD) self-reported treatment adherence using VAS was high (93.5% [13.8%]). Mean (SD) total work productivity impairment was 45.6% (32.0%); presenteeism contributed toward more total work productivity impairment (43.9% [30.4%]) than absenteeism (8.3% [24.4%]). Patients expected improvement in all parameters from their treatment, especially improvement in joint symptoms. Most patients (80.7%) preferred oral medication and 18.7% preferred monotherapy. Patient acceptability of potentially manageable side effects was high (7.5%-34.0%). Although most patients (81.3%) found combination therapy acceptable, 43.2% were receiving DMARD monotherapy. Conclusion Although most Japanese patients with RA with moderate-to-high disease activity were dissatisfied with their current DMARD treatment, high treatment adherence, high acceptability of combination therapy, high acceptability of manageable potential side effects, and preference for oral medication were reported. Data support the development of a more individualized and patient-centric approach for RA treatment.

Patient satisfaction with medication in rheumatoid arthritis: an unmet need

“…Of note, the results of our study underlined the importance of psychological care, therapeutic education and shared decision-making in improving satisfaction with treatment. These results were also obtained in other studies [ 21 , 25 ].…”

“…Despite the multiple studies showing the effectiveness of bDMARDs [ 21 , 23 ], we noted that these treatments were inversely correlated with satisfaction with convenience. This result can be explained by the high costs of bDMARDs [ 16 ].…”

“…In order to assess the impact of RA on the quality of daily life, the international study SENSE, a Japanese study and a Palestinian study used the 36-item short-form Health Survey (SF-36) [ 17 , 20 , 21 ]. The international study showed that SF-36 in its physical and mental components was a predictive factor of global treatment satisfaction – respectively (OR = 1.057 [1.036–1.078], p < 0.001) and (OR = 1.035 [1.019–1.050], p < 0.001) [ 17 ].…”

“…The international study showed that SF-36 in its physical and mental components was a predictive factor of global treatment satisfaction – respectively (OR = 1.057 [1.036–1.078], p < 0.001) and (OR = 1.035 [1.019–1.050], p < 0.001) [ 17 ]. In the Japanese study, a high score on the mental component of the SF-36 was predictive of global satisfaction (OR = 1.27 [1.08–1.49]) [ 21 ]. A Greek study showed that fulfillment of patients’ preferences was a strong predictor of good treatment response [ 22 ].…”

Percepción de actividad física en mujeres con artritis reumatoide en Popayán, Colombia

“…Diferentes investigaciones han evidenciado que los pacientes presentan disminución de la esperanza con relación a los componentes motivacionales, cognitivos y emocionales, debido a la disminución de la funcionalidad en sus aspectos cotidianos y a sus procesos de adaptación, presencia de episodios de depresión y baja autoestima [10]. En atención a lo anterior, la vinculación de la AF y otras acciones encaminadas al manejo de su tiempo libre podrían generar aportes importantes desde el componente social y motivacional.…”