Use of Patient Preference Studies in NICE Submissions in the Last 5 Years

OBJECTIVES: There is growing interest in patient preference (PP) data from payers and Health Technology Assessment (HTA) bodies. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK considers PP studies complementary to the clinical evidence package, considering that it brings value to the assessment where treatment options are being compared. This study aimed to identify use of PP studies submitted to NICE in the last 5 years and understand the methodologies (qualitative vs quantitative) used to elicit patient preferences.

METHODS: Guidance published on the NICE website for the period between May 2018 to May 2023 were screened to determine the inclusion of PP studies. Further analysis was conducted to determine how PP was included in the submission to gather PP insights.

RESULTS: Search run on NICE website identified a total of 697 guidance published from May 2018 till May 2023. Out of these, 388 guidance were eliminated from the analysis because 70 were terminated appraisals and others not meeting the inclusion criteria of interventional assessments. Subsequently, 309 guidance were screened for PP studies. After removing the guidance mentioning the societal preference for utilities and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), 34 guidance were finally identified. Fourteen used qualitative and 18 quantitative methodologies in elicitation of patient preference. Out of 28 non-oncology indications using PP, these were mostly autoimmune indications including ulcerative colitis (n=5) and arthritis types (n=4). The most frequently identified PP method was Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE), used to show route of administration preferences and treatment choices.

CONCLUSIONS: A well-designed patient preference study can provide valuable information to inform the HTA review of new therapeutic options and inform decision making. However, there is potential to expand the use of patient preference studies in HTAs in the future, to go beyond non-clinical outcome, such as preferences for administration.