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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Cecilia Jimenez Moreno, Professor Grainne Gorman
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).
© 2021, The Author(s).Introduction: It has become increasingly important to include patient preference information in decision-making processes for drug development. As neuromuscular disorders represent multisystem, debilitating, and progressive rare diseases with few treatment options, this study aimed to explore unmet health care needs and patient treatment preferences for two neuromuscular disorders, myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and mitochondrial myopathies (MM) to inform early stages of drug development. Methods: Fifteen semi-structured interviews and five focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with DM1 and MM adult patients and caregivers. Topics discussed included (1) reasons for study participation; (2) disease signs/symptoms and their impact on daily lives; (3) top desired benefits; and (4) acceptability of risks and tolerance levels for a hypothetical new treatment. Data were analyzed following a thematic ‘code’ approach. Results: A total of 52 participants representing a wide range of disease severities participated. ‘Muscle strength’ and ‘energy and endurance’ were the disease-related unmet needs most often mentioned. Additionally, improved ‘balance’, ‘cognition’ and ‘gut function’ were the top desired treatment benefits, while ‘damage to the liver, kidneys or eyes’ was the most concerning risk. Factors influencing their tolerance to risks related to previously having experienced the risk and differentiation between permanent and temporary risks. A few differences were elicited between patients and caregivers. Conclusions: This qualitative study provided an open forum to elicit treatment-desired benefits and acceptable risks to be established by patients themselves. These findings can inform decisions for developing new treatments and the design of clinical trials for DM1 and MM.
Author(s): Jimenez-Moreno AC, van Overbeeke E, Pinto CA, Smith I, Sharpe J, Ormrod J, Whichello C, de Bekker-Grob EW, Bullok K, Levitan B, Huys I, de Wit GA, Gorman G
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Patient
Year: 2021
Volume: 14
Issue: 5
Pages: 601-612
Print publication date: 01/09/2021
Online publication date: 27/02/2021
Acceptance date: 13/11/2020
Date deposited: 25/08/2021
ISSN (print): 1178-1653
ISSN (electronic): 1178-1661
Publisher: Adis
URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40271-020-00482-z
DOI: 10.1007/s40271-020-00482-z
PubMed id: 33660162
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