CP-056 Patient treatment satisfaction after switching to biweekly subcutaneous peginterferon beta 1a from intramuscular interferon beta 1a

• Published in: European journal of hospital pharmacy. Science and practice Vol. 24; no. Suppl 1; p. A25
• Main Authors: Medina, A Liras, Ferrández, J Sánchez-Rubio, Pérez, A Santiago, Sesmero, JM Martínez, Nasarre, A Ontañón, Olias, C Folguera, Benito, Y Aladro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.03.2017
• Subjects: Patient satisfaction
• ISSN: 2047-9956; 2047-9964
• DOI: 10.1136/ejhpharm-2017-000640.55

BackgroundPeginterferon beta-1a (PEGIFNβ-1a) is administered subcutaneously biweekly, which is an advantage over other treatment schedules used in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.PurposeTo compare treatment satisfaction in MS patients treated with interferon beta-1a (IFNβ-1a) intramuscularly (30 µg weekly) after switching to PEGIFNβ-1a 125 µg administered subcutaneously every 2 weeks.Material and methodsThis was a prospective multicentre study. Adult MS patients switching from weekly intramuscular IFNβ-1a to biweekly PEGIFNβ-1a were included. Patient satisfaction was measured according to the Treatment Satis­faction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM), which consists of 14 items scaled on a 5–7 point bipolar scale. Items are combined into four summary scores: effectiveness, side effects, convenience and overall satisfaction. Higher scores imply higher satisfaction. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for evaluating the differences. The study was approved by the ethics committee.Results35 patients were included. Mean age (±SD) was 44.9±8.6 years and 74.4% were women. Intramuscular IFNβ-1a was the firstline treatment for 88.6% of patients. Treatment duration before change was 64.4±50.5 months. Overall satisfaction and satisfaction in terms of effectiveness were higher for IFNβ-1a IM. Convenience was better evaluated for PEGIFNβ-1a. Side effects were reported in a similar percentage (table). 11.4% of patients returned to intramuscular IFNβ-1a.IFNβ-1a IMPEGIFNβ-1a SCp Value Effectiveness16.0±2.914.2±3.90.01Q1. Ability to treat/prevent condition5.4±1.44.9±1.50.03Q2. Ability to relieve symptoms5.3±1.24.9±1.40.06Q3. Time it takes medication to start working5.3±0.94.5±1.4<0.01Side effects13.5±2.812.3±2.90.08% who reported side effects94.193.9Q5. Bothersomeness of side effects3.0±0.72.8±0.80.18Q6. Interfere with physical function2.9±0.83.0±10.64Q7. Interfere with mental function4.0±1.13.7±0.90.18Q8. Impact overall satisfaction3.6±12.8±1.10.01Convenience15.3±2.816.9±2.6<0.01Q9. Ease/difficulty of use4.8±1.25.8±0.9<0.01Q10. Ease/difficulty of planning to use5.2±1.15.6±0.90.05Q11. Convenience of taking as instructed5.3±1.35.6±1.10.15Overall satisfaction13.1±2.411.9±3.20.02Q12. Confidence that taking medication is good4.9±1.53.6±10.01Q13. Certainty that good things outweigh bad4.9±1.43.5±10.02Q14. Satisfaction with medication5.2±1.24.8±1.40.08ConclusionSwitching from intramuscular IFNβ-1a to PEGIFNβ-1a resulted in better convenience and a similar reported rate of adverse effects although overall satisfaction was lower.No conflict of interest