Estimation of direct cost of managing rheumatoid arthritis treatment to Pakistani patients using real-world follow-up data.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to estimate annual direct cost attributed to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment from a patient's perspective using real-world patient follow-up data from hospitals' electronic database. METHODS: A prospective 1-year study was conducted in rheumatology clinics of tertiary care hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan. Cost-of-illness methodology was used and all patient data related to costs of rheumatologist visits, physical therapy sessions, medications, assistive devices and laboratory investigations were obtained directly in printed hardcopies from patient electronic databases using their medical record numbers. Transportation cost was calculated from patient-reported log books. Data were analyzed through IBM SPSS version 23. Patients were asked to sign a written consent and the study was ethically approved. RESULTS: The mean age of patients (N = 358) was 48 years. Most patients (73.7%) were female, married (86%) and had basic education (71.8%). Average cost of rheumatologist visits was PKR 11 510.61 (USD: 72.05) while it was PKR 66 947.37 (USD: 419.07) for physical therapy sessions. On average, medicines and medical devices costs were estimated at PKR 10 104.23 (USD: 63.25) and PKR 7848.48 (USD: 49.13) respectively. Cost attributed to diagnostic and laboratory charges was PKR 1962.12 (USD: 12.28) and travel expense was PKR 6541 (USD: 40.95). The direct expenditure associated with managing RA was PKR 37 558 (USD: 235.1). All costs were reported per annum. CONCLUSION: Patient with RA in Pakistan pay a considerable amount of their income for managing their condition. Most patients have no provision for insurance which is a need considering the nature of the disease and associated productivity loss that would significantly lower income as the disease progresses.

Translation and validation of the English version of the general medication adherence scale (GMAS) in patients with chronic illnesses.

Objective: This study aimed to translate the General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS) into English language and validate it in patients suffering from chronic illnesses. Methods: A 1-month study (January 2018) was conducted in a random sample of patients suffering from chronic illnesses who visited the outpatient departments of four tertiary healthcare facilities in Karachi, Pakistan. Translation of the tool and its content, as well as face validity, was carried out. Factor structure was explored (i.e. exploratory and partial confirmatory factor analyses were carried out) and fit indices were calculated for model fitting. Test-re-test reliability and internal consistency were analyzed. Validity of GMAS-English was established by convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity analysis. Sensitivity analysis was conducted. Data was analyzed through SPSS version 23. The study was ethically approved by concerned authorities (Letter# NOV:15). Results: The GMAS was translated into English language by standard procedure. Factor analysis indicated a 3-factor model. Fit indices, namely normed fit index, Tucker Lewis index, comparative fit index, and root mean square of error approximation, were calculated with satisfactory results (i.e. NFI, TLI, and CFI > 0.9 and RMSEA < 0.08). Internal consistency (α) was 0.82. A high response rate of 91.6% was reported. GMAS-English established convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validities. The tool was sensitive (>75%) in screening patients with partial-to-low adherence based on their education level. Conclusion: The tool was translated in English language and demonstrated adequate internal consistency. The results indicate that GMAS-English is a valid and reliable tool to measure medication adherence in patients with chronic illness.

Dietary Supplement Use Among Students of Pharmacy Colleges in the City of Karachi, Pakistan: Prevalence, Opinions, and Attitudes.

This study was conducted among pharmacy students in Karachi, Pakistan, to document prevalence, opinions and their attitudes toward dietary supplement (DS) use. A cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of four months. The study used a specially formulated dietary supplement questionnaire (DSQ). The prevalence of DS use was reported at 48.2%: 51% in males and 47.3% in females. Physician recommendation was cited by majority of students as reason for DS use (n = 153, 25%). Most of the students used multivitamins (n = 315, 51.5%). The average monthly cost attributed to DS use was reported at PKR 1,396.3 (USD 13.55). For every year increase in age, DS use in students decreased (OR = 0.917). Male students were more likely to recommend DS use (OR = 1.425). The most noteworthy finding was the cautious approach of students as the majority reported DS use only upon recommendation of a physician.

Development and validation of a novel rheumatoid arthritis knowledge assessment scale in Pakistani patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

AIM: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic progressive disabling disease that mainly affects joints. Studies documenting Pakistani patients' knowledge regarding RA disease are lacking and there is a need for such endeavor. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a novel research tool to document patient knowledge about RA disease. METHODS: A novel research instrument known as the rheumatoid arthritis knowledge assessment scale (RAKAS) which consisted of 13 items, was formulated by a rheumatology panel and used for this study. This study was conducted in rheumatology clinics of three tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan. The study was conducted in March-April 2018. Patients were recruited using a randomized computer-generated list of appointments. Sample size was calculated based on item-to-respondent ratio of 1:15. The validities, factor structure, sensitivity, reliability and internal consistency of RAKAS were assessed. The study was approved by the institutional Ethics Committee. RESULTS: A total of 263 patients responded to the study. Content validity was 0.93 and response rate was 89.6%. Factor analysis revealed a 3-factor structure. Fit indices, namely normed fit index (NFI), Tucker Lewis index (TLI), comparative fit index (CFI) and root mean square of error approximation (RMSEA) were calculated with satisfactory results, that is, NFI, TLI and CFI > 0.9, and RMSEA < 0.06. Internal consistency (α) was 0.62, that is, acceptable. All items had a high discrimination index, that is, >19 and difficulty index <0.95. Sensitivity and specificity of RAKAS were above 90%. The tool established construct and known group validities. CONCLUSION: A novel tool to document disease knowledge in patients with RA was formulated and validated.