FRI0184 The profiles of patients with rheumatoid arthritis according to their beliefs in their biological drugs. arco study

Abstract

ObjectivesTo describe profiles of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients according to their beliefs in their subcutaneous biological medication (SC).MethodsARCO was a study carried out on RA Spanish patients who initiated a SC biological drug 11–18 months prior to the study visit. Patients completed the Beliefs About Medication Questionnaire (BMQ). According to the scores obtained in the necessity (N) and concerns (C) sub-scales, patients were classified into 4 groups: accepting (high N [>3]/low C [≤3]), ambivalent (N>3/C>3), indifferent (N≤3/C≤3) and skeptical (low N [≤3]/high C [>3]). We studied demographic characteristics, expectations and satisfaction with the treatment by group.Results321 patients (77% women) completed the BMQ, 92.8% scored N>3 and 58.9% C>3. A higher % of men than women scored N≤3 (13.5% vs. 5.2%, p=0.031). The % who scored C>3 was higher in those with low satisfaction with symptom control (71.1% vs. 56.7% in satisfied/very satisfied, p=0.098), or side effects (72.1% vs. 52.0%, p<0.001), and in those with lower fulfillment of expectations of efficacy and tolerance (p=0.006 and p<0.001). The combination of N and C scores identified 116 accepting (36.1%), 182 ambivalent (56.7%), 16 indifferent (5.0%) and 7 skeptical patients (2.2%). There were no differences in age, gender, or RA duration among the groups, but differences were seen in the satisfaction with the treatment and in the fulfillment of the expectations (table). Ambivalent patients showed less satisfaction and lower fulfillment of expectations with the treatment received than accepting patients.Table 1Accepting (n=116)Ambivalent (n=182)Indifferent (n=16)Skeptical (n=7)p Mean age (SD)55.5 (12.6)54.2 (12.5)58.8 (13.2)53.6 (10.2)0.459%%%%SexMen19.023.143.843.90.090Women81.076.956.257.1RA duration> median51.850.343.828.60.651≤ median48.249.756.271.4Satisfaction Symptoms controlVery/quite satisfied93.182.968.885.70.009Indifferent, quite/very unsatisfied6.917.131.214.3Tolerance/side effectsVery/quite satisfied79.757.050.057.1<0.001Indifferent, quite/very unsatisfied20.343.050.042.9Expectations Effect of the drug on symptomsMuch/quite greater than expected69.653.375.057.10.031+/− As expected23.539.012.528.6Quite/lower than expected7.07.712.514.3 Side effects/discomfortMuch/quite greater than expected7.017.012.50.00.004+/− As expected27.039.625.057.1Quite/lower than expected, or no side effects/discomfort66.043.462.542.9ConclusionsPatients with RA have strong beliefs about the need of their biological SC medication, but a high % also expresses concerns. Beliefs, and especially concerns, seem to relate to the satisfaction and fulfillment of expectations of efficacy and tolerability or the drug, rather than to demographics or RA characteristics. Discussing expectations may be important when initiating a biological treatment.AcknowledgementsFunded by MSD, Spain.Disclosure of InterestNone declared