Addition Of A Sleeve To The Etanercept Autoinjector (Enbrel^® MyClic^®) Improves Ease Of Use In Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Purpose

A novel device (sleeve) has been developed that attaches to compatible autoinjectors and is designed to improve the patient experience, particularly for those with limited manual dexterity. This study was designed to explore whether user experience is improved when using the Enbrel^® MyClic^® autoinjector in conjunction with the sleeve. The Enbrel MyClic autoinjector contains etanercept (Enbrel^®), a biologic drug that patients self-administer subcutaneously for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Patients and methods

Twenty-four adult patients (16 female) with RA and varying degrees of manual dexterity impairment took part in this user study. Written informed consent was supplied by each patient prior to performing the study. They each performed two simulated injections into skin pads, one with the Enbrel MyClic alone and the other with the Enbrel MyClic + sleeve. Following the simulated injections, participants answered questions about their experience of using the sleeve and rated the following on a scale of 1 (poor experience) to 7 (optimal experience): overall use; ease of preparation; ease of administration; ease of learning to use; look, feel and size of the device; overall experience.

Results

Participants rated the Enbrel MyClic + sleeve more highly than the Enbrel MyClic alone for overall use, ease of administration, feel, size and overall experience. Participants with severe dexterity impairment (n = 12) were more likely to rate these features as better with the sleeve in place than those with mild dexterity impairment (n = 10). Three-quarters of participants said they would request the sleeve if it became available and all said that they would recommend it to others. The main benefits cited by participants were better grip and a better feeling of control.

Conclusion

Addition of the sleeve improved patients’ experience of using the Enbrel MyClic. The benefits of the sleeve outweighed any inconvenience associated with the additional steps needed to prepare the device.

Keywords:

• human factors
• usability
• user study

Acknowledgments

Healthcare Fieldwork Ltd (a sister company of Harvey Medical Consulting Ltd) were responsible for participant recruitment and data analysis. Dr Sarah Ray, a general practitioner based in Cambridge, UK, instructed participants on use of the Enbrel MyClic. Dr Joanna Todd (Stellar Medical Communications Limited, Ely, UK) provided medical writing and editorial assistance; this was funded by Pfizer R&D UK Ltd.

Abbreviations

bDMARD, biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; csDMARD, conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; RA, rheumatoid arthritis.

Disclosure

Naceur Rekaya and Alexandra Pickersgill are employees of Pfizer R&D Ltd, UK. Naceur Rekaya reports a patent (application number: 62789460) pending to Noble/Genia. Louisa Harvey is an employee of Harvey Medical Ltd, who was engaged by Pfizer to conduct the study. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

The study was funded by Pfizer Ltd. Pfizer had input into the design of the study and preparation of the manuscript.