Aims and Scope

The Open Rheumatology Journal is an Open Access journal, which publishes research articles, reviews/mini-reviews, letters and guest edited single topic issues in all important areas of experimental and clinical research in rheumatology, which include epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical outcomes and treatment of inflammatory, immunologic, pediatric and adult rheumatological and musculoskeletal conditions, as well as metabolic, and degenerative soft and hard connective tissue diseases.


The Open Rheumatology Journal, a peer-reviewed journal, is an important and reliable source of current information on developments in the field. Emphasis is placed on publishing quality papers, making them freely available to researchers worldwide.


Editor's Choice

Patient Satisfaction with the Etanercept Biosimilar SB4 Device, Among Rheumatoid Arthritis and Spondyloarthropathy Patients - A German Observational Study

Christof Maucksch, Peer M. Aries, Silke Zinke, Ulf Müller-Ladner

Background:

The etanercept biosimilar SB4 is a TNF inhibitor authorised for use as a targeted Biological Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (bDMARD). Various administration devices have been developed for subcutaneous self-injection of bDMARDs.

Objective:

This study surveyed patient satisfaction with their experience of using the SB4 pre-filled pen device.

Methods:

This non-interventional, cross-sectional, multi-centre study enrolled adult rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthropathy patients who had been treated for at least three months with the SB4 pre-filled pen. Based on a standardized questionnaire, patients rated general satisfaction, handling, user-friendliness, physical characteristics, and training material received. A total of 492 eligible patients completed questionnaires at 43 centres across Germany between August 2017 and June 2018. Data were analysed descriptively. Pre-defined subgroup analyses by previous therapy and by indication were performed.

Results:

Overall, 87% (95% CI 83% - 90%) of patients reported being ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with the pen. 89% of patients reported that the pen was ‘simple’ or ‘very simple’ to use. Most patients (87%) self-injected. 93% of patients who received training on the use of the pen were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with the training provided. In this cross-sectional study, 12 patients reported an Adverse Event (AE) and one patient reported a treatment-related AE (nausea).

Conclusion:

The results demonstrated a high level of general satisfaction among patients using the SB4 pre-filled pen as well as satisfaction with ease of use for patients who were either naïve to bDMARDs or who had switched to SB4 from other bDMARDs.


July 21, 2020
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