Full Papers
Preferences for diagnostic pathways and treatment choice in systemic lupus erythematosus: a patient-based discrete choice experiment
L. Quartuccio1, M. Piga2, F. Atzeni3, M. Callori4, A. Doria5, G. Emmi6, F. Franceschini7, M. Gerosa8, M. Mosca9, P. Pasqualetti10, R. Pelissero11, G.D. Sebastiani12, F. Conti13, M. Govoni14
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine (DMED), ASUFC, University of Udine, Italy.
- Rheumatology Unit, AOU Cagliari, Monserrato; and Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Italy.
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Internal and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Italy.
- Gruppo LES Italiano OdV (voluntary organisation of support for people with SLE), Italy.
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine DIMED, University of Padova, Italy.
- Department of Medical, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, and Clinical Medicine and Rheumatology Unit, Cattinara University Hospital, Trieste, Italy; and Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash University Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Australia.
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology Unit, Dept. of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, University of Brescia, Italy.
- Rheumatology Unit, University of Milan, ASST Gaetano Pini CTO, Milan, Italy.
- Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy.
- Section of Medical Statistics, Department of Public Health and Infectious Disease, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. patrizio.pasqualetti@uniroma1.it
- Gruppo LES Italiano OdV (voluntary organisation of support for people with SLE), Italy.
- Rheumatology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera San Camillo-Forlanini, Rome, Italy.
- Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiologic and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
- Lupus Clinic - Rheumatology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Italy.
CER17655
2025 Vol.43, N°1
PI 0053, PF 0061
Full Papers
Free to view
(click on article PDF icon to read the article)
PMID: 39263793 [PubMed]
Received: 07/03/2024
Accepted : 05/07/2024
In Press: 10/09/2024
Published: 23/01/2025
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Starting from the unmet need of early diagnosis and treatment in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the study aims to explore patient preferences in diagnostic pathways and treatment modalities. It seeks to integrate clinical priorities with patient perspectives, providing an optimal approach to SLE treatment that remains uncertain.
METHODS:
A discrete choice experiment (DCE) has been conducted to investigate whether patient preferences align while maintaining consistent attributes and levels, providing a direct assessment of relative preferences and hypothetical treatment approaches in SLE.
RESULTS:
DCE results demonstrated that obtaining an early diagnosis is the most crucial attribute for patients. Additionally, a multidisciplinary care team, capable of enhancing clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction, is essential, along with a clinical centre conveniently located within 30 minutes of the patient’s home. Lastly, patients prefer the opportunity to reduce glucocorticoid to a dosage ≤5 mg/day, and eventually discontinue, aligning with the new EULAR recommendations, and favour oral and subcutaneous routes of administration for new course of treatment.
CONCLUSIONS:
Patient preferences contribute to enhancing the care pathway for SLE by optimising disease management, with a focus on multidisciplinarity and psychological support.
