title: What factors determine patients' preference for tumour necrosis factor inhibitors in ankylosing spondylitis?
abstract: Tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) therapy, either intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SQ), demonstrates similar efficacy in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The objective of this study was to examine factors influencing patient preference of TNFi. Fifty-nine (79.7%) participants were male with mean age 43.9 years and disease duration of 22.0 years. Fifty-nine patients (79.7%) agreed with the statement 'My doctor gave me a choice and I made a decision based on my personal preference'. Patients commenced first on IV TNFi most commonly cited reduced frequency of injections (96.6%), administration by a trained professional (89.7%) and use of infusion time for leisure activities (86.2%). Patients commenced on SQ TNFi cited flexibility with timing of treatment (80%), shortened administration time (73.3%) and the convenience of home therapy (73.3%). Shared clinical decision-making between clinicians and patients may be desirable for AS patients commencing TNFi therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Dessy W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Fajri
authors.forename: Caroline A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.forename: Shyamali C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Dharmage
authors.forename: Belinda J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Russell R C
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Buchanan
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schachna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha