Self-reported experience in patients treated with Hepatitis C direct acting antivirals

• Main Authors: Irene Cañamares Orbis, Javier Saez de la Fuente, Ismael Escobar Rodriguez, Concepción Esteban Alba, Ana Such Díaz, Ismael Escobar Rodríguez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Grupo Aula Médica 2016-12-01
• Series: Farmacia Hospitalaria
• Subjects: Self-reported experience; Health related quality of life; Patient related outcome; Adherence; Direct acting
• Online Access: http://www.aulamedica.es/fh/pdf/10503.pdf
• ISSN: 1130-6343; 2171-8695

Background and objective: To learn about and analyze the self-reported treatment experience of HCV patients who started treatment with direct acting antivirals agents (DAA), at a real-time, proactive and integrated into the pharmaceutical care healthcare process, using a prospective questionnaire completed by patients as clinical tool. Material and methods: Observational and cross-sectional study conducted between April (start of the National Strategic Plan) and December 2015 in the Outpatient Pharmacy Service. The questionnaire includes variables related to health related quality of life (HRQOL), adherence, adverse effects (AEs), satisfaction, and usefulness of the Pharmacy Service implemented training program. A descriptive analysis of all variables included in the study was conducted and the influence of different variables analyzed in the degree of adherence and HRQOL. The analysis of the differences was performed using chi-square test and simple logistic regresión model for calculation of OR. We use SPSS version 20 program and statistical significance for values of p < 0.05 was considered. Results: 155 of the 226 surveys returned, with a response rate of 68.6%. Referring to the HRQOL (evaluation of physical and emotional state), 38.7% of patients reports that their physical and emotional state is much better from the start of treatment. The presence of EA and worse global information of their disease was associated with worse physical and emotional state (p < 0.05). Reported adherence was 84.5% and the treatment was evaluated as very good or good by 87% of patients. 52.9% had no adverse effects related to the medication and the training process performed by the specialist pharmacist at the first visit 96.7% of patients assessed as very good or good. Conclusions: Self-reported experience acquired through direct and constant contact with patients provides information on important aspects of treatment. We believe that these tools should be incorporated into pharmaceutical care procedures as a way to maintain continuity in patients direct contact. They also induce patients to a self-assessment of various aspects of their own treatment, which can help achieve greater involvement in it and can contribute to achieve the maximum health outcome in pharmacotherapy