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Abstract
Objective Anifrolumab is a new therapeutic approach for individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) directed at blocking the type 1 interferon pathway. Despite the expanding body of literature on Anifrolumab, an essential aspect remains absent: the subjective patient experience of treatment effects and implications for daily life. The present study aimed to fill this void by elucidating the nuanced perspectives of SLE patients receiving Anifrolumab treatment by conducting qualitative in-depth interviews (IDIs).
Methods SLE patients at Aarhus University Hospital who had received at least 3 infusions of Anifrolumab were approached for inclusion in a study comprising two main elements: 1) Qualitative IDIs and 2) Collection of patient data from electronic medical records (EMRs). The 60-minute IDIs were semi-structured and based on a discussion guide that included both open-ended and close-ended questions. Verbatim transcripts were coded and analyzed using qualitative software to understand concepts important to patients and to understand patients’ own experiences before and after Anifrolumab therapy. A clinical chart review was then conducted using EMR data at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months (where available) after Anifrolumab initiation.
Results IDIs were successfully conducted with 14 patients and EMR data was collected from 16 patients (treatment days range: 62–474). The symptoms reported most prior to Anifrolumab treatment were fatigue (93%), joint pain (93%), sun sensitivity (86%), skin rashes (79%), and hair loss (71%) (figure 1a). All symptoms improved, although still present, and none worsened during the treatment (figure 1b). Patients reported significant impact of disease on daily life before treatment: day-to-day activities (79%), emotional aspects (71%), social life (71%), physical activity (64%), concentration/memory (57%), work (50%) and family/romantic relationships (50%) (figure 2a). Patients reported improvements on all aspects after treatment but were still impacted (figure 2b). From the EMR data, we observed a fall in disease activity after treatment initiation with a concomitant reduction in the use of corticosteroids.
Conclusions This study provides valuable insights into the subjective experiences of SLE patients treated with Anifrolumab. These findings collectively contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the treatment’s efficacy and its tangible effects on both subjective and objective parameters in SLE patients.
Acknowledgements This study was sponsored by AstraZeneca.
Symptom saliency before anifrolumab treatment
Symptom saliency after anifrolumab treatment
Impact saliency before anifrolumab treatment
Impact saliency after anifrolumab treatment
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