Results of a PREM to measure the rare disease patients’ caregivers experience: A Spanish cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective To measure the experience of the person suffering from a rare disease in order to identify objectives for optimal care in the health care received by these patients. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Spain involving patients associated with the Spanish Rare Diseases Federation [Federación Española de Enfermedades Raras] (FEDER). A modified version of the PREM IEXPAC instrument was used (IEXPAC-rare-diseases). Scores ranged between 0 (worst experience) and 10 (best experience).Results A total of 261 caregivers (in the case of paediatric population) and patients with rare diseases (response rate 54.4%) replied. Most males, 227 (87%), with an average age of 38 (SD 13.6) years. The mean time since confirmation of diagnosis was 7.8 (SD 8.0) years. The score in this PREM was 3.5 points out to 10 (95%CI 3.2-3.8, SD 2.0). Caregivers of paediatric patients scored higher, except for coordination of social and healthcare services.Conclusions There are wide and important areas for improvement in the care of patients with rare diseases. This study involves a first assesment of the experience of patients with rare diseases in Spain.