OBJECTIVES: Patient activation refers to an individual’s knowledge, skill, and confidence in managing their health, which can be associated with better clinical outcomes. The aims of this analysis were: to profile adults in Japan and China (urban) by patient activation level, and to profile type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients by activation level.

METHODS: Data were obtained from Kantar Health’s PaCeR (Patient-Centered Research) database. Adults age 18 and older were surveyed in Japan (n=30,001) and China (n=19,994), using a stratified random sampling approach based on gender and age to ensure weighted representativeness to the adult population (urban for China). Demographic characteristics, SF-12v2, Work and Activity Impairment, and healthcare resource utilization were assessed across four activation levels using the Patient Activation Measure^® or PAM^® (level 1 indicated lowest activation while level 4 showed highest).

RESULTS: Descriptive results of Japanese adults by PAM level (1-4) showed that higher activation levels were associated with higher: mean age, percent married, percent college educated, mean exercise days; and lower: obesity, smoking rates. In terms of outcomes, higher PAM scores were associated with higher mental component scores and lower activity impairment. Level 1 adults were least likely to visit a healthcare provider. Higher activated T2D patients in Japan had higher Rx satisfaction, more physician-focused attitudes, and lower HbA1c levels. In China, higher activation levels were associated with: higher mean age, percent married, mean exercise days, and smoking. In terms of outcomes, higher PAM scores were associated with higher mental component scores and lower overall work productivity impairment. Higher activated T2D patients had higher physical component scores and more physician-focused attitudes.

CONCLUSIONS: Higher patient activation is often associated with better outcomes, therefore understanding where patients are on the activation continuum is important to tailor specific services and communications for patients that increase their level of activation and improve outcomes.