Patient satisfaction and preferences of lanreotide Autogel treatment in acromegaly.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the known importance of somatostatin analogues (SSAs) in the treatment of acromegaly, patient satisfaction leading to preferences for specific SSAs have received little attention so far.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This open, prospective, observational, multicentre patient-reported outcome study included adult patients with acromegaly, who switched from another SSA to lanreotide Autogel (new and previous devices) at least two months prior to enrolment. The observation period was around 12 months. The primary outcome assessed was overall treatment satisfaction, measured using the five-point Likert scale. The secondary outcomes were: 1) treatment effectiveness, in terms of symptom control; 2) technical problems related to treatment administration, measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS); and 3) ease and safety of lanreotide Autogel delivery (new device vs. previous device).

RESULTS: Of the 102 patients who completed the study, 97 (95.1%) were "completely or rather satisfied" with lanreotide Autogel therapy, four (3.9%) were "neither satisfied nor dissatisfied", and one (1%) was "rather dissatisfied". Symptom control was reported as "excellent" or "good" by 88-89% of patients throughout the study. Patients reported fewer technical problems related to administration of lanreotide Autogel (final mean VAS: 5.3) compared to previous SSAs (mean VAS: 37.6). Of the 31 patients treated with lanreotide Autogel using the previous device followed by the new device, 64.5% reported the new device as improved.

CONCLUSIONS: Lanreotide Autogel therapy resulted in greater patient satisfaction with overall acromegaly management, when compared to previous SSAs. The new lanreotide Autogel device was found to be easier to use than the previous one. (Endokrynol Pol 2016; 67 (6): 572-579).