title: Patient preferences for sensory attributes of intranasal corticosteroids and willingness to adhere to prescribed therapy for allergic rhinitis: a conjoint analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sensory attributes of intranasal corticosteroid (INS) products vary.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate patient preferences for INS sensory attributes and the degree to which attributes influence patients' willingness to adhere to therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a cross-sectional study with 120 individuals across 4 US allergy/immunology clinics. Respondents chose between pairs of hypothetical INSs differing in sensory attribute composition. We measured the strength of preferences for 6 sensory attributes (smell, taste, aftertaste, throat rundown, nose runout, and feel of spray in nose or throat). Preferences were measured for 3 intensity levels of each sensory attribute (eg, no taste, weak taste, and strong taste). Other outcomes included an importance score for each sensory attribute and patients' willingness to adhere to therapy with an INS with the lowest intensity levels of each sensory attribute vs one with moderate intensity levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preferences decreased with increasing intensity levels of each sensory attribute. Aftertaste was the most important attribute in 28% of patients, taste in 19%, throat rundown in 18%, nose runout in 12%, smell in 11%, and feel of spray in 7%. If instructed to take an INS daily for 3 months, 77% of patients stated that they would definitely be able to follow their physician's advice (willingness to adhere) if given one containing the lowest level of each sensory attribute vs 4% if given one having moderate levels (P < .01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient preferences are inversely related to increasing intensity levels of sensory attributes and affect patients' willingness to adhere to therapy. Application of patient preferences when selecting INSs could improve adherence.
authors.affiliation: MEDTAP International Inc, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Parthiv J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Mahadevia
authors.forename: Shailen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leibman
authors.forename: Leah
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kleinman
authors.forename: Liza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: O'Dowd
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010465:Perception; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012903:Smell; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013649:Taste
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents