Hybrid Digital Support for Patients Receiving Adalimumab Therapy for Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Disorders: 12-Month Persistence and Impact on Adherence
Author(s)
Alastair MacDonald, BSc1, Adan Jama, BA1, Warren M. Hart, MSc1, Saad Wali, BSc2.
1Sciensus, London, United Kingdom, 2Principal Consultant, Visionet Systems, East Windsor, NJ, USA.
1Sciensus, London, United Kingdom, 2Principal Consultant, Visionet Systems, East Windsor, NJ, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Medication non-adherence and lack of persistence are well-documented issues in chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disorders. To address this, Sciensus developed a Digital+ support programme combining traditional home care services with digital tools to enhance patient self-management. This study aimed to evaluate the 12-month persistence and adherence among patients receiving adalimumab enrolled in various levels of digital and non-digital support.
METHODS: This retrospective, real-world study analysed data from 35,990 new patients initiated on non-originator adalimumab. Patients were segmented into four groups based on the support received: 1) Home delivery and device training only; 2. Same as Group 1 plus in-home and remote nursing; 3. Group 1 plus access to the digital companion app; 4 Full Digital+ support (in-home and remote nursing + app). Persistence was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. A before-and-after comparison of medication possession ratio (MPR) was also conducted on 111,000 patients who began using the Sciensus companion app.
RESULTS: Patients receiving full Digital+ support demonstrated the highest 12-month persistence (60.9%), compared to lower rates in groups with no digital engagement (45.7% to 48.2%). Statistically significant improvements in persistence were observed for app users across all support categories, independent of in-home or remote nursing services. Among patients switching to app-based support, mean medication possession ratio (MPR) significantly increased from 91.9% to 95.5% (p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS: This analysis demonstrates that digital patient support, especially when combined with in-home and remote nursing, leads to significantly improved medication adherence and persistence over 12 months. The companion app showed strong independent benefits, making Digital+ a scalable, impactful approach for managing chronic therapies like adalimumab. These findings support broader adoption of hybrid digital-health models to improve outcomes and reduce the burden of non-adherence in real-world settings.
METHODS: This retrospective, real-world study analysed data from 35,990 new patients initiated on non-originator adalimumab. Patients were segmented into four groups based on the support received: 1) Home delivery and device training only; 2. Same as Group 1 plus in-home and remote nursing; 3. Group 1 plus access to the digital companion app; 4 Full Digital+ support (in-home and remote nursing + app). Persistence was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. A before-and-after comparison of medication possession ratio (MPR) was also conducted on 111,000 patients who began using the Sciensus companion app.
RESULTS: Patients receiving full Digital+ support demonstrated the highest 12-month persistence (60.9%), compared to lower rates in groups with no digital engagement (45.7% to 48.2%). Statistically significant improvements in persistence were observed for app users across all support categories, independent of in-home or remote nursing services. Among patients switching to app-based support, mean medication possession ratio (MPR) significantly increased from 91.9% to 95.5% (p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS: This analysis demonstrates that digital patient support, especially when combined with in-home and remote nursing, leads to significantly improved medication adherence and persistence over 12 months. The companion app showed strong independent benefits, making Digital+ a scalable, impactful approach for managing chronic therapies like adalimumab. These findings support broader adoption of hybrid digital-health models to improve outcomes and reduce the burden of non-adherence in real-world settings.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
PCR123
Topic
Clinical Outcomes, Patient-Centered Research, Real World Data & Information Systems
Topic Subcategory
Adherence, Persistence, & Compliance, Patient Behavior and Incentives, Patient Engagement
Disease
Biologics & Biosimilars, Musculoskeletal Disorders (Arthritis, Bone Disorders, Osteoporosis, Other Musculoskeletal)