title: [Home-based infusion therapy--a feasible approach for chronically ill patients? A new path to provide superior patient care exemplified for Fabry's disease].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  As there are scarce data from Germany addressing home-based infusion therapy in chronically ill patients, a study on transferring infusion therapy from in-patient-treatment to home care, exemplified for Fabry's disease, was conducted.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 69 patients on enzyme replacement infusion therapy (ERT with agalsidase alfa every two weeks) were enrolled in the open, non-controlled, multicentre, non-interventional observational study. After uneventful ERT in a hospital setting, intravenous treatment was administered at home by a specially-trained nurse. Primary outcome measure was change in patient satisfaction measured by an eleven-item Likert scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The in-home observation period lasted between 96 und 401 days (median 180; IQR 166-184). Patient satisfaction increased significantly with home-based therapy (p = 0.001). A quality of life analysis (SF-36) demonstrated significant improvements in role-physical (p = 0.003), bodily pain (p = 0.032), vitality (p < 0.001), social functioning (p = 0.020), role-emotional (p = 0.007), mental well-being (p = 0.007) and mental sum score (p = 0.002). Home infusions turned out to be safe and were well tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronically ill patients with need for regular infusion therapy may benefit from a home care setting. Home-based infusion therapy as exemplified by agalsidase alfa ERT in Fabry's disease is a viable option for patients who received uneventful infusions within the hospital.
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universitätsmedizin Mainz.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gaedeke
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martus
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Karabul
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rolfs
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000795:Fabry Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018718:Home Infusion Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult; D000519:alpha-Galactosidase / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D007527:Isoenzymes; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C000627036:agalsidase alfa; D000519:alpha-Galactosidase