3 research outputs found
Satisfaction and discontent of Polish patients with biological therapy of rheumatic diseases : results of a multi-center questionnaire study
Get PDFObjectives: Biologics are medications widely applied in the management of inflammatory rheumatic
diseases. The drugs were found to be effective but their application is associated with some
disadvantages. Medication with biologics is relatively expensive, and in Poland, it is carried out in
specialized centers. The study was designed to evaluate various aspects of satisfaction and dissatisfaction
of Polish patients treated with biologics.
Material and methods: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed in 23 Polish rheumatological
centers involved in the treatment; 1212 returned questionnaires were used for analysis. Responses
were received from 606 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 427 with ankylosing spondylitis,
117 psoriatic arthritis, and 62 adult patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (in whom administration
of the drugs had been introduced before they were 18 years old). The investigated group
constituted about one-fifth of all rheumatic patients on biologics in Poland.
Results: A beneficial or very beneficial influence of the medication on the state of physical health
was found mostly in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (51.3 and 30.5%) and ankylosing spondylitis
(51.0 and 36.8%). Family life was improved by the treatment especially in patients with ankylosing
spondylitis (40.7 and 35.6% beneficial and very beneficial, respectively), sleep quality and sexual
life mostly in those with ankylosing spondylitis (beneficial/very beneficial influence 41.5/38.4, and
38.7/23.9, respectively). There was a rather small influence of biological treatment on the financial
situation of the patients. In general, satisfaction with the treatment was evaluated as positive or
very positive in 88% of all investigated patients.
In a significant part of the patients, transportation to the medical center was considered as a disadvantage
of the treatment. About one-third of the patients considered laboratory and imaging tests
to be done before initiation of the medication as a difficulty, and for about 40% waiting time for
qualification for the medication was a significant disadvantage. The route of drug administration
was without importance for 4/5 of the patients.
Conclusions: Summing up, the results were similar in the patients suffering from various diseases
although those with psoriatic arthritis felt the highest satisfaction (possibly due to the positive
aesthetic effect), and those with ankylosing spondylitis had significant improvement in sexual life
(probably due to younger age). Relatively low satisfaction was found in patients with juvenile idiopathic
arthritis. There was a small influence of medication on financial status of the patients. Application
of biologics has few disadvantages and most of them are associated with the organization of
health services (waiting time for the tests, transportation to the medical centers)
