Levels of satisfaction with rheumatoid arthritis treatment and associated alignment between physicians and patients across Latin America.

INTRODUCTION: Discordance (misalignment) regarding treatment satisfaction may exist in real-life clinical practice between patients and their physicians. We aimed to assess physician and patient treatment satisfaction levels and associated degree of misalignment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHOD: A point-in-time, multinational survey of patients and physicians was conducted in Latin America from December 2014 to October 2015. Physician- and patient-reported satisfaction levels with current RA treatment, alignment levels in satisfaction perception, and factors associated with satisfaction misalignment were assessed through bivariate and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Participating physicians (N = 114) completed 555 patient record forms (PRFs); 372 patients completed self-complete questionnaires (PSC). A total of 346 physician-patient pairs were analyzed. Physicians reported satisfaction with current disease control in 270/346 (78.0%) PRFs; patients reported such satisfaction in 286/346 (82.7%) PSCs. Physician-patient alignment was observed in 78.6% of pairs. Compared with aligned patients, misaligned patients were younger, more likely to have moderate or severe disease (physician subjectively defined), deteriorating or unstable disease (physician subjectively defined), been exposed to a greater number of advanced therapy lines (biologic or Janus kinase inhibitor), greater current pain, a current acute episode, poorer health, and greater disability and impairment. Misaligned patients were less likely to be in remission. Logistic regression analysis revealed that misaligned patients were more likely to experience greater activity impairment. CONCLUSIONS: High treatment satisfaction and alignment were observed among RA patients and their physicians in Latin America. Misaligned patients were more likely to report more severe disease and were less likely to be in remission. Addressing misalignment may lead to improved RA disease control.Key Points• High treatment satisfaction was observed among RA patients and their treating physicians in Latin America.• One-fifth of physician-patient pairs were misaligned in treatment satisfaction.• Patients misaligned with their physicians reported higher disease activity, lower quality of life, and greater disability than those who were aligned with their physicians.• Understanding and addressing misalignment in treatment satisfaction may improve outcomes in this patient population.

Physician-patient alignment in satisfaction with psoriatic arthritis treatment in Latin America.

INTRODUCTION: Physician-patient misalignment may exist in real-life clinical practice. We aimed to assess physician and patient treatment satisfaction levels and associated degree of misalignment in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). METHOD: Data from a cross-sectional survey of patients and their physicians conducted in Latin America were analyzed. Physician-reported and patient-reported satisfaction levels with current PsA treatment, alignment in satisfaction levels, and factors associated with satisfaction misalignment were assessed through bivariable and multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 179 physician-patient pairs were analyzed. Physicians reported satisfaction with current disease control in 87.7% (n = 157) of cases; patients reported satisfaction in 91.1% (n = 163 of cases). A total of 82.1% of physician-patient pairs were aligned. Compared with aligned patients, misaligned patients were older and more likely to have moderate or severe disease, deteriorating or unstable disease, a past hospital procedure, current or past psoriasis symptoms, greater current pain, a current acute episode, poorer health and quality of life, greater impairment, poorer medication compliance, to consider PsA a major daily burden, and to believe that PsA treatments were ineffective. Misaligned patients were less likely to be in remission. Logistic regression analysis revealed that misaligned patients were older, and more likely to consider PsA a major daily burden and PsA treatments as ineffective. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of treatment satisfaction and alignment were observed among PsA patients and their physicians in Latin America. Patients in this study nevertheless experienced a considerable clinical and quality-of-life burden, especially the misaligned patients. Addressing misalignment may lead to improved PsA disease control.Key points• High treatment satisfaction was observed among PsA patients and their treating physicians in Latin America.• Patients experienced a considerable clinical and quality-of-life burden, especially the misaligned patients.• One-fifth of physician-patient pairs were misaligned regarding satisfaction.• Understanding and addressing misalignment may improve outcomes in this patient population.