Shared decision-making, control preferences and psychological well-being in patients with RPE65 deficiency awaiting experimental gene therapy.
OBJECTIVE
Retinal gene therapy trials are currently ongoing in a small number of inherited retinal disorders and this number is expected to rise significantly. The aim of this study was to analyze the psychological aspects of patients with RPE65 deficiency awaiting potential enrollment in gene therapy trials.


METHODS
Five patients with genetically proven RPE65 deficiency took part in this study. They were asked to complete the German versions of (i) the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-D), (ii) the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ), (iii) the Shared Decision Making Questionnaire (PEF-FB-9), and (iv) the Autonomy Preference Index (API-Dm), and in addition they took part in qualitative interviews.


RESULTS
The evaluations of the questionnaires and the interviews showed that the patients have quite high information needs and wish to take part in medical decisions. The perspective to participate in gene therapy trials does not seem to cause pronounced worries. Only the insecurity about if and when enrollment in a trial takes place may be burdensome.


CONCLUSIONS
This study generated important data about the psychological situation of patients awaiting potential enrollment in clinical trials, which can be used to improve patient care in the increasing number of future gene therapy trials around the world.
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
Monika
M
Nelles
Knut
K
Stieger
Markus N
MN
Preising
Johannes
J
Kruse
Birgit
B
Lorenz
D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D057240:Patient Preference; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011788:Quality of Life; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014792:Visual Acuity; D055815:Young Adult; D019745:cis-trans-Isomerases / Q000172:deficiency*; D000099178:Retinoid Isomerohydrolase
D019745:cis-trans-Isomerases; D000099178:Retinoid Isomerohydrolase