Assessment of discordance of treatment satisfaction between patients with rheumatoid arthritis in low disease activity or in remission and their treating physicians: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Objectives

To assess discordance in overall treatment satisfaction between patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and their physicians.

Methods

This was a multicenter, cross-sectional, observational study of patients with RA (in low disease activity or remission) and their board-certified treating physicians in Japan; 202 patient–physician pairs were analyzed. Treatment satisfaction and perceptions were assessed using a structured questionnaire.

Results

Using a two-level (‘satisfied’ or ‘unsatisfied’) assessment of satisfaction, 195 patients (96.5%) and 190 physicians (94.1%) answered ‘satisfied’ with a high level of concordance (184 pairs, 91.1%). Using a four-level assessment, the ratio of ‘satisfied’ to ‘somewhat satisfied’ was higher in patients (66.3%/30.2%) than physicians (43.6%/50.5%). Satisfaction with treatment outcomes (e.g. joint conditions, subjective symptoms) was generally high in patients and physicians; relatively less satisfaction was reported for medication cost, especially among patients. Shared treatment decision-making was reported in ≥96% of patient–physician pairs. The most common ‘most important’ treatment target differed between patients (‘Have a social life without worrying about RA’) and physicians (‘Prevent joint damage, deformity, and joint swelling’).

Conclusions

Treatment satisfaction and concordance were high between patients in low activity/remission and physicians. Some differences between patients and physicians were reported in satisfaction for specific treatment outcomes and important treatment targets.

Keywords:

• Cross-sectional studies
• health care surveys
• Japan
• rheumatoid arthritis
• treatment satisfaction

Acknowledgments

The authors thank all patients and physicians from the clinics and hospitals across Japan who generously gave their time to participate in this study.

Author contributions

All authors participated in the interpretation of the study results, and in the drafting, critical revision, and approval of the final version of the manuscript. Zhihong Cai and Masayo Sato were involved in the development of the study design, and Zhihong Cai was involved in the statistical analysis.

Conflicts of interest

Y. Kaneko has received consulting fees, speaking fees, and/or honoraria from AbbVie GK, Astellas Pharma Inc., AYUMI Pharmaceutical Corporation, BMS K.K., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., EA Pharma Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Pfizer Japan Inc., Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, and UCB Japan Co., Ltd. Minako Sato, Z. Cai, and Masayo Sato are employees and stock owners of Eli Lilly and Company.

Role of the sponsor

Eli Lilly Japan K.K. was involved in the study design, data collection, data analysis, and preparation of the manuscript.