A study, published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology, examined what patients value from inflammatory bowel disease biologic medicines.
Researchers used an adaptive choice-based conjoint survey to analyze 304 ulcerative colitis patients and 336 Crohn's disease patients. The survey helped identify the relative importance of several biologic attributes in decision making.
Researchers used conjoint software to determine patient preference. They then conducted a regression analysis to determine if demographic and disease characteristics shaped how patients made decisions regarding biologic medications.
Here's what they found:
1. Demographics and IBD characteristics didn't predict patient preferences, however IBD type did impact patient preference.
2. Crohn's disease patients said side effect profiles were the most important element when selecting a biologic treatment.
3. Ulcerative colitis patients tapped therapeutic efficacy as the most important element.
Researchers concluded, "Biologic decision-making is highly personalized; demographic and disease characteristics poorly predict individual preferences, indicating that IBD patients are unique and difficult to statistically categorize."
Study authors used the research to create an online patient decision aid that generates a unique "preferences report" that can be shared with a provider. To see the online decision-making tool, click here.