title: Survey of Physicians' Understanding of Specific Risks Associated with Retigabine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Following reports of discoloration, including retinal pigmentation, in addition to known significant risks of urinary retention, central nervous system effects, and QTc prolongation, the retigabine indication was restricted to adjunctive treatment of partial onset seizures where other appropriate drug combinations have proved inadequate or have not been tolerated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To ascertain the effectiveness of educational initiatives as reflected in physicians' understanding of retigabine-associated risks, management, and patient selection.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online, cross-sectional survey, designated a post-authorization safety study (24/9/2014-30/1/2015), recruited retigabine prescribers (RP) and retigabine non-prescribers (RNP) in seven countries, who had been sent a retigabine Dear Health Care Professional letter (June 2013). Questions tested understanding of the significant risks associated with retigabine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  414/467 participants completed all questions (RP,n= 141; RNP,n= 273) and were included in the analysis. 74.2 % of these participants (RP, 77.3 %; RNP, 72.5 %) correctly identified the label indication. 81.9 % of participants (RP, 86.5 %; RNP, 79.5 %) recognized that specific retigabine-associated risks included pigment changes of ocular tissues, including the retina. 81.6 % of participants (RP, 87.2 %; RNP, 78.8 %) recognized that a comprehensive ophthalmologic examination is required. 99.8 % of participants (RP, 100.0 %; RNP, 99.6 %) acknowledged the requirement for action in case of retinal pigmentation or vision changes. RP and RNP results were similar to the overall participants' analysis, with a trend toward stronger understanding among RP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most participants recognized the appropriate population for retigabine treatment and the requirement to monitor for adverse events including retinal pigmentation and vision changes. Understanding was satisfactory among RNP but stronger among RP.
authors.affiliation: GlaxoSmithKline, 980 Great West Rd, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 9GS UK.
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Daniluk
authors.affiliation: GlaxoSmithKline, 980 Great West Rd, Brentford, Middlesex TW8 9GS UK.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: GlaxoSmithKline, Uxbridge, Middlesex UK.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stender
authors.affiliation: United BioSource Corporation, London, UK.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kowalczyk