AB1238 PATIENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY DISEASES

Abstract

Background: Adherence to therapy in chronic diseases such as inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRD), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and psoriasis (Pso) is a major condition to achieve positive outcomes. Patient support programs (PSPs) were developed to improve the quality of care and enhance adherence to therapy. Objectives: To evaluate the perception of patients treated for inflammatory chronic diseases towards PSPs. Methods: All available PSPs were identified at the national level, and their services were classified into categories: financial, logistic, educational, and emotional support. Consecutive adult patients with CIRD, IBD and Pso, enrolled in a PSP for more than 3 months, were interviewed by a trained medical student. Demographic data, disease and treatment characteristics were collected at the physician’s clinic. Global satisfaction was estimated using a 5-points Likert scale, adherence to treatment was measured by the Compliance Questionnaire for Rheumatology (CQR), PSPs services were classified according to their importance to the patient using a 5-points Likert scale. An open questionnaire identified the patients’ perceptions qualitatively. Predictive factors of satisfaction were identified. Results: Forty-seven patients were included in the study, 53% were males, with a mean age of 49.8 years (SD 15.2) (Patients’ characteristics in Table 1). The majority declared that the PSP was very useful (95.7%) and were highly satisfied with the programs (97.9%). Higher attributes were assigned, by decreasing order, to: financial (copay program, providing of free samples), logistic (hotline, refrigerating box), educational (educational material) and emotional support. Nursing services and telephone reminders were rated as least important (Figure 1). Most open comments gave higher appreciation to financial support (54%), followed by education (38%) and logistics (8%). High appreciation of education was associated with lower age, type of treatment and PSP. Shorter treatment duration was associated with appreciation of educational material, emotional support and telephone reminders. Conclusion: Patients were highly satisfied with PSP programs, and ranked the financial support as the most important followed by logistics, whereas education, nursing services and telephone reminders were found less important. Lower age and shorter treatment duration were associated with higher appreciation of education and support.