Patient Preference and Adherence (Nov 2023)
Significance of Self-Injectable Biologics in Japanese Patients with Severe Allergic Diseases: Focusing on Pen-Type Devices and Copayment
Abstract
Soichiro Hanada,1,* Masato Muraki,1,* Yoshiyuki Kawabata,1 Kazuya Yoshikawa,1 Toshiyuki Yamagata,1 Tadao Nagasaki,1 Yushiro Ohara,2 Naoki Oiso,2 Hisako Matsumoto,3 Yuji Tohda4 1Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Kindai University Nara Hospital, Ikoma, Nara, Japan; 2Department of Dermatology, Kindai University Nara Hospital, Ikoma, Nara, Japan; 3Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Kindai University Hospital, Osakasayama, Osaka, Japan; 4Kindai University Hospital, Osakasayama, Osaka, Japan*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Masato Muraki, Department of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Kindai University Nara Hospital, 1248-1 Otoda-cho, Ikoma, Nara, 630-0293, Japan, Tel +81 743 77 0880, Fax +81 743 77 0890, Email [email protected] and Methods: A questionnaire survey was administered to 18, 14, and 3 patients introduced to home self-injection of dupilumab or mepolizumab using a pen-type device for atopic dermatitis, asthma alone, and asthma plus chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, respectively.Results: All but one participant wished to continue self-injection. Most participants affirmed the reduction in copayment (88.6%) and saving time and labor for hospital visits (88.6%). Six patients who received dupilumab complained of side effects, but all, except for one, continued the treatment. Of the 13 patients who had previously used a syringe-type device, 10 preferred the pen type because of its ease of use, while 3 (23%) preferred the syringe type because of the self-adjustable injection speed for pain control.Conclusion: Administration of biologics using pen-type devices is easier, and the introduction of home self-injection leads to a reduction in outpatient visits and copayment.Keywords: dupilumab, mepolizumab, self-injection, asthma, atopic dermatitis, chronic sinusitis with nasal polyps