Satisfaction and attitudes toward therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

We examined associations between patient satisfaction and data obtained in routine clinical practice, and associations with therapeutic attitude in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A total of 220 patients with RA were enrolled in this cross-sectional evaluation. Demographic data, current disease state of RA, history of adverse events and self-reported questionnaire of patient satisfaction, attitudes toward therapy and reasons for being unwilling to change therapy were collected and analyzed. Multiple linear regression was used to identify characteristics. Age, Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score, and a visual analogue scale score of general health were the dominant correlates of satisfaction. Among the participants, 70% reported that they would not want to change therapy. The main reasons given were satisfaction with the current disease state (58%) and concern about the risk of side effects if therapy were to be changed (34%). Patients who were unwilling to change therapy due to concerns about side effects of new drugs did not have a significantly higher frequency of a past history of side effects, but showed significantly higher disease activity and a lower level of satisfaction with therapy. To summarize, patient satisfaction was associated with the HAQ. Patients who worried about the risk of side effects showed poor physical function and higher disease activity.

Patient Perceptions of Unmet Medical Need in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Survey in the USA

“…Prior studies have also hypothesized that the fear of medication side effects and a loss of control may be factors in the unwillingness to change [7, 8, 11, 25–27]. Furthermore, many patients do not want to change their therapy as long as their condition remains stable and does not worsen, even if a treatment change might result in them having improved QoL [10, 11]. The current study also indicates that patients who had previous or current bDMARD experience reported similar treatment satisfaction compared with those who had not.…”

The Use of patient Reported Outcome Measures for Rheumatoid Arthritis in Japan: A Systematic Literature Review

“…Takahashi mentioned that PROs may contribute to better communicate between clinicians and patients, and guide treatment decisions [34]. PROs play a critical role in determining treatment pathways and timing of treatment [35].…”