[The EPO beta injection pen in patients in maintenance dialysis or predialysis: acceptability, satisfaction and cost assessment]. / Le stylo injecteur d'EPO beta chez les patients dialysés: acceptabilité, satisfaction et bilan économique.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at evaluating the acceptability and economic impact of the utilisation of Reco-Pen, an injection pen equipped with cartridges in patients requiring treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu-EPO). METHOD: A random sample of 124 patients in maintenance dialysis or in pre-dialysis were enrolled in 42 French centres in 2001. 87% of patients were in maintenance therapy and the rest in correction phase. A nurse was dedicated in each centre to educate and assist the patients during the whole study period (2 months). The economic analysis compared the treatment costs in the subgroup of 108 patients already treated at inclusion. RESULTS: The satisfaction scores were positive in 80% of patients in terms of improved autonomy and comfort and 93% declared themselves ready to continue using the pen. After a mean 2-month period of follow up, the self-injection rates rose from 21 to 53%. ECONOMICAL SYNTHESIS: The switch to Reco-Pen of 100 patients in maintenance therapy was associated with a total savings of 22,449 Euro, decomposed as follows: 18,725 Euro corresponding to savings in rHu-EPO, 3,500 Euro corresponding to the non-reimbursed honoraria of the private nurses, and 224 Euro in productivity savings in time spent by the centres' nurses, i.e. an accumulation of 10.4 hours.