Treatment satisfaction and quality of life in patients treated with fingolimod

Abstract

BackgroundThe development of oral treatments for relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) may alter patient satisfaction and quality of life (QoL). The aim of this survey was to evaluate treatment satisfaction and QoL in patients treated with fingolimod in everyday clinical practice in France.MethodsNeurologists treating MS in France were invited to participate in the survey by telephone. Each physician was expected to recruit up to six patients with RRMS currently being treated with fingolimod. Enrolled patients were asked to complete the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM), the 3-level 5-dimension EuroQoL instrument, as well as specific questions on change in QoL since starting fingolimod. Factors associated with the TSQM score were evaluated using multiple logistic regression analysis.ResultsTwo hundred and fourteen patients were recruited by 54 neurologists. The mean age of the patients was 41.6±10.0 years, and 73.4% of them were women. During the hospitalization for initiation of fingolimod treatment, 70.1% of patients had received information on MS, 76.6% had received information on fingolimod, and 20.7% had participated in a therapeutic education program. The two variables with the strongest associations with high TSQM scores (≥75) were a positive perception of initial hospitalization (hazard ratio: 10.27) and receiving information on MS during hospitalization (hazard ratio: 5.70). The mean EQ-visual analog scale score was 71.6±16.8. The mean EQ-visual analog scale score was significantly higher in patients satisfied with their treatment (75.8±15.2) compared to those unsatisfied with treatment (66.6±17.2). The proportion of patients who reported an improvement in their capacity to plan for the future was higher in satisfied (72.6%) than in unsatisfied patients (49.5%).ConclusionThe majority of patients treated with fingolimod are satisfied with their treatment. Treatment satisfaction is associated with better self-rated QoL and an improvement of QoL since starting treatment.

<p>Health-Related Quality of Life and the Relationship to Treatment Satisfaction in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Insights from a Large Observational Study</p>

“…As a secondary objective, Mekies and colleagues presented bivariate (unadjusted) associations using only the global treatment satisfaction domain as a dichotomized outcome (TSQM global ≥75 and <75) and the EuroQoL questionnaire on the other hand. 10 In contrast, we were able to present a fourteenfold higher sample size and data-driven multivariate analyses based on three distinct TSQM dimensions each covering the full scaling range while adjusting for other well-known risk factors potentially affecting HRQoL. However, applying a dichotomous 75-points-cutoff for global satisfaction to our data, we were able to reflect the authors' results using the…”

“…Fatigue, depression, physical disability and cognition are important determinants of reduced HRQoL in patients with MS. [7][8][9] Factors that are significantly related to patients' satisfaction with treatment have also been widely investigated. 10,11 For both HRQoL and treatment satisfaction, there is evidence for a direct or indirect association to MS treatment adherence. 6,[12][13][14] Adherence to treatment in turn may promote reduced relapse rates, slow disability progression, and therefore stabilize longterm MS outcomes.…”

<p>Real-World Treatment Patterns of Disease Modifying Therapy (DMT) for Patients with Relapse-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis and Patient Satisfaction with Therapy: Results of the Non-Interventional SKARLET Study in Slovakia</p>

“…In the past decade, several papers have reported on MS patient treatment satisfaction with DMT in various countries. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Since a patient's treatment experience is to a certain extent influenced by the local availability of particular drugs, country-specific data are needed. To the best of our knowledge, the study presented here is the first report dealing with treatment satisfaction in the Slovak MS population.…”