title: Satisfaction of patients treated for chronic hepatitis C with the peginterferon alfa-2b pen device: the VISA observational study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This observational study aimed at evaluating the satisfaction of patients with chronic hepatitis C using the peginterferon (peg-IFN) alfa-2b pen device.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients were included when prescribed the pen device. Self-administered questionnaires relating to the progress brought by the pen, convenience/comfort, and the mode and security of injection were completed after the first injection and at 12 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six hundred and forty eight patients aged 45.7 +/- 12.1 years completed the 1st questionnaire; 70% were naive for any hepatitis C treatment. Five hundred and twenty five (81%) patients completed the 2nd questionnaire. Adherence to the pen device was >or=80% in more than 80% of the patients. Most (85%) patients declared that the pen brought important progress compared to traditional syringes. Satisfaction was high after the 1st injection and further increased 12 weeks later, with ease of use scoring 7.7 then 8.0 (P=0.007, 10-point scale), and rapidity of use scoring 8.0 then 8.2 (P=0.008); less painful injection scoring 7.9 at both time points. The proportion of self-injectors (no intervention of a health professional) increased from 32% to 58% (P<0.0001). Reasons for self-injecting were: easier injection (58%), no product/syringe handling (50%/41%), and assurance of exact dosing (45%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients were satisfied with the peg-IFN alfa-2b pen device. The proportion of self-injectors doubled over 12 weeks. Good treatment adherence, which is mandatory for therapeutic success, is expected from use if this device.
authors.affiliation: Centre Hospitalier Laënnec, Service d'Hépato-Gastroentérologie et de Diabétologie, Boulevard Laënnec, BP 72, 60109 Creil. jfrancois.cadranel@ch-creil.fr
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Cadranel
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Boujenah
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bourlière
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fontanges
authors.forename: Stanislas
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pol
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trepo
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ouzan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011725:Pyridines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012646:Self Administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011725:Pyridines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C083702:vamicamide