PATIENTS' EXPECTATIONS OF PHARMACOLOGICAL TREATMENTS FOR RHEUMATIC CONDITIONS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Author(s)
Maya Camilleri-Sacco, Bsc in Pharmacology1, Graziella Aquilina, BSc Pharmacology2, Corinne Bowman, Professional Doctorate3, Lorna Bonnici West, PhD4, Timothy Chen, PhD,5, Jürgen Barth, PhD6, Maria Cordina, PhD2.
1Student, University of Malta, Msida, Malta, 2University of Malta, Msida, Malta, 3University of malta, Msida, Malta, 4Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology, Paola, Malta, 5University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia, 6University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
1Student, University of Malta, Msida, Malta, 2University of Malta, Msida, Malta, 3University of malta, Msida, Malta, 4Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology, Paola, Malta, 5University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia, 6University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
OBJECTIVES: To synthesise evidence on adult patients’ expectations of pharmacological treatments for rheumatic conditions.
METHODS: Nine electronic databases (Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest One Academic, PubMed, and five EBSCO databases, including PsycINFO, Academic Search Ultimate, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews) were searched using a combination of keywords across three core domains: rheumatic conditions, pharmacological treatments, and patient expectations. Eligible literature included English-language, primary research published from January 2006 to January 2026 evaluating adult patients' expectations of pharmacological treatments for rheumatic conditions. The screening/assessment phase of the study was conducted by four independent reviewers, with disagreements settled by an additional reviewer. The extraction data template includes study design, sample size, clinical characteristics and primary themes on patient expectations. The protocol was registered on OSF: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/DYQWC.
RESULTS: A total of 7,008 records were identified, with 2,969 remaining after duplicate removal. Following screening and full-text assessment, 66 studies were included. Preliminary extracted data so far indicates that patients across conditions consistently expected pharmacological treatment to relieve pain, stiffness, fatigue, and mobility limitations, with restoration of independence with normal daily functioning emerging as central treatment goals. Expectations of treatment effectiveness were particularly high for biologics and advanced therapies, although several studies reported overoptimistic expectations regarding rapid onset of action, short-term improvement, and remission. Some studies indicated that patients expected disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics to provide rapid pain relief similar to corticosteroids.
CONCLUSIONS: Patient expectations from their pharmacological treatment primarily focused on pain and general symptom reduction, with expectations for treatment effectiveness being high for biologics and advanced therapies.
METHODS: Nine electronic databases (Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest One Academic, PubMed, and five EBSCO databases, including PsycINFO, Academic Search Ultimate, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews) were searched using a combination of keywords across three core domains: rheumatic conditions, pharmacological treatments, and patient expectations. Eligible literature included English-language, primary research published from January 2006 to January 2026 evaluating adult patients' expectations of pharmacological treatments for rheumatic conditions. The screening/assessment phase of the study was conducted by four independent reviewers, with disagreements settled by an additional reviewer. The extraction data template includes study design, sample size, clinical characteristics and primary themes on patient expectations. The protocol was registered on OSF: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/DYQWC.
RESULTS: A total of 7,008 records were identified, with 2,969 remaining after duplicate removal. Following screening and full-text assessment, 66 studies were included. Preliminary extracted data so far indicates that patients across conditions consistently expected pharmacological treatment to relieve pain, stiffness, fatigue, and mobility limitations, with restoration of independence with normal daily functioning emerging as central treatment goals. Expectations of treatment effectiveness were particularly high for biologics and advanced therapies, although several studies reported overoptimistic expectations regarding rapid onset of action, short-term improvement, and remission. Some studies indicated that patients expected disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics to provide rapid pain relief similar to corticosteroids.
CONCLUSIONS: Patient expectations from their pharmacological treatment primarily focused on pain and general symptom reduction, with expectations for treatment effectiveness being high for biologics and advanced therapies.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
PCR233
Topic
Clinical Outcomes, Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient Behavior and Incentives
Disease
Musculoskeletal Disorders (Arthritis, Bone Disorders, Osteoporosis, Other Musculoskeletal), No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas