Patient satisfaction with an injection device for multiple sclerosis treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a measure of treatment satisfaction assessing attributes specific to injected interferon-beta-1a (IFN-beta-1a) for multiple sclerosis (MS), and to test pain and instrument sensitivity to change among patients changing injection devices.


METHODS
The MS Treatment Concerns Questionnaire (MSTCQ) was developed and tested with pain assessments before and 3 months after patients changed devices from Rebiject to Rebiject II.


RESULTS
The MSTCQ was organized with two domains: Injection System Satisfaction and Side Effects (three subscales: Injection Site Reactions, Global Satisfaction, and Flu-Like Symptoms). Significant improvements (P = 0.002 to P < 0.001) occurred with the new injection device in all MSTCQ subscales (except Flu-Like Symptoms), and all pain measures (P < 0.0001). Clinically meaningful improvement was demonstrated in all scales, except Flu-Like Symptoms, by effect sizes (0.23-0.59).


CONCLUSIONS
These statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in MSTCQ and pain measures show the value of technologically advanced devices in domains of concern to patients.
Cramer
J A
JA
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06516-2770, USA. joyce.cramer@yale.edu
Cuffel
B J
BJ
Divan
V
V
Al-Sabbagh
A
A
Glassman
M
M
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011594:Psychometrics; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a