MMX® Mesalamine Treatment for Ulcerative Colitis: Preliminary Outcomes from a Patient Experience Program

Abstract

Purpose: In this program, we evaluated the impact of MMX mesalamine (LIALDA®; Shire Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA; MMX; Cosmo Technologies Limited, Wicklow, Ireland) treatment in patients who were commencing a new course of therapy for ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: Patients initiating MMX mesalamine therapy were invited to participate in the LIALDA patient experience program (launched in October 2007). Patients were surveyed using a secure website or automated telephone system, where they completed a questionnaire on perceived symptom severity, self-assessed disruption to daily activities, prior UC medication and treatment satisfaction, at baseline and at approximately 30 and 60 days post-baseline. Patients were also questioned on their understanding of UC and its management, and received further UC education. Reponses from those patients who completed the baseline and 60-day surveys are included in this analysis. Results: Overall, 319 patients were enrolled and 110 had completed the 60-day post-baseline questionnaire at the time of reporting. After 60 days' treatment, patients reported a reduction in UC symptom severity of 36-57%, and a reduction of approximately 46% in disruption to daily activities. Almost 75% of patients had previously received UC medication (the majority of whom received another mesalamine formulation). Patient-reported adherence to MMX mesalamine was 88%, and patients were more satisfied with MMX mesalamine than with other formulations, giving an average satisfaction score of >7 out of 9. Indeed, 81% of patients stated that they would continue taking MMX mesalamine, and 78% would recommend it. Overall, most patients (67%) believed that communication with their physicians was enhanced by this program, and the majority (80%) indicated that they would volunteer for similar patient experience programs. Conclusion: Patients reported that MMX mesalamine treatment reduced UC symptom severity and disruption to daily activities. This formulation was generally preferred compared with patients' previous treatments, and most patients would continue using MMX mesalamine. Positive patient perception of their medication regimen may enhance treatment adherence with MMX mesalamine therapy. This research was funded by Shire Pharmaceuticals Inc., Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA. Disclosure: Dr T Hamilton - Employee, Shire Pharmaceuticals Inc Dr M Sumner - Employee, Shire Pharmaceuticals Inc Dr D Solomon - Employee, Shire Pharmaceuticals Inc Dr D Kerney - Employee, InfoMedics Inc. Funded by Shire Pharmaceuticals Inc.