Patient Satisfaction with the New Interferon Beta-1b Autoinjector (BETACONNECT™).
Neurol Ther
; 4(2): 125-36, 2015 Dec.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-26662362
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) typically requires life-long management with disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). Many DMTs require regular self-injection, and can be associated with injection site reactions, pain, and needle/injection phobia-but these can be addressed by improvements in autoinjector design. The aim of this study was to investigate patient satisfaction and preference for BETACONNECT™ (Bayer Pharma AG), a novel interferon beta-1b autoinjector.METHODS:
Patients in Germany performing self-injections using BETACONNECT took part in the study. Data were collected through an online 15-min structured survey. Participants rated their experience with BETACONNECT on a 6-point scale and those satisfied with BETACONNECT were asked to describe the reason using a free-text box.RESULTS:
One-hundred and eighteen patients with MS completed the survey. Ninety percent preferred BETACONNECT to their previous injection method (only 4% previously used manual injections, so most had previously used other autoinjectors). Ninety-two percent were very confident/confident in their ability to perform an injection using BETACONNECT. The most common free-text responses to "Why are you satisfied with the BETACONNECT™ autoinjector?" were ease of use (46%), less irritation/pain at the injection site (33%), and smoother injections (24%). Features considered most useful were automated injections (98%), adjustable injection speed (98%), and adjustable injection depth (98%). Ninety-seven percent thought it was easy to know when an injection was complete and 95% agreed/strongly agreed it was easy to learn to use the autoinjector. Seventy-three percent agreed that the quietness and effortlessness of the BETACONNECT reduced their level of injection anxiety, 92% that its size and shape makes it easy to handle during injections, and 67% that it decreases injection site pain. Eighty percent of those using the reminder function thought they were less likely to miss an injection.CONCLUSION:
Patients with MS self-injecting interferon beta-1b expressed a high level of satisfaction and preference for BETACONNECT. Thus, BETACONNECT represents a valid option to improve patients' overall injection experience.FUNDING:
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Guideline
/
Qualitative_research
Language:
En
Journal:
Neurol Ther
Year:
2015
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Germany