Autoinjector preference among patients with multiple sclerosis: results from a national survey.

PURPOSE: Autoinjectors are well-established in supporting multiple sclerosis (MS) therapy. This market survey was aimed at investigating patients' rating of three devices for subcutaneous interferon beta formulations: the electronic autoinjectors Betaconnect(®) and RebiSmart™ as well as the mechanical ExtaviPro™ device.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Organization and conduction of structured face-to-face interviews in five German cities were managed through an independent external market research company. After questionnaire validation (n=15), 85 participants currently either using the Betaconnect (n=39), the RebiSmart (n=36) or the ExtaviPro injector (n=10) were asked 22 questions in the same order. First, patients named their current device in use, watched the corresponding instruction video, and were queried about their device. Second, patients were asked about their opinion of an ideal autoinjector. Third, instruction videos for the two non-used devices were presented and participants could dummy-inject into a pillow. Last, patients evaluated device features and indicated their preferred autoinjector.

RESULTS: Before having been presented the two other autoinjectors not in use, evaluation of patients' satisfaction with their own device revealed that 82% of the Betaconnect users, 67% of the RebiSmart and 60% of the ExtaviPro users were highly satisfied. All patients desired some improvement of their own device particularly concerning optimization of size and handling. Subsequent to testing and watching instruction videos of all devices, the Betaconnect received the best rating regarding different functions. Finally, participants indicated their preferred autoinjector, provided their own medication was suitable for all three devices: 56.5% of the participants (n=48/85) chose the Betaconnect, 36.5% the RebiSmart (n=31/85), and 5% the ExtaviPro device (n=4/85); 2% did not answer (n=2/85).

CONCLUSION: In this survey, the Betaconnect device was the preferred autoinjector and may currently best meet patients' needs. As it was closest to participants' opinion of an ideal device, the Betaconnect might contribute to treatment adherence. Our results need to be confirmed in further studies.