10.6084/m9.figshare.5670097.v1 Sibyl Wray Sibyl Wray Brooke Hayward Brooke Hayward Fernando Dangond Fernando Dangond Barry Singer Barry Singer Ease of use of two autoinjectors in patients with multiple sclerosis treated with interferon beta-1a subcutaneously three times weekly: results of the randomized, crossover REDEFINE study Taylor & Francis Group 2017 Drug delivery systems interferon β-1a multiple sclerosis neurology patient preference subcutaneous injections 2017-12-05 14:07:02 Journal contribution https://tandf.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Ease_of_use_of_two_autoinjectors_in_patients_with_multiple_sclerosis_treated_with_interferon_beta-1a_subcutaneously_three_times_weekly_results_of_the_randomized_crossover_REDEFINE_study/5670097 <p><b>Background</b>: For interferon beta-1a subcutaneously three times weekly (IFN β-1a SC tiw), administration options include manually injected prefilled syringes; a preassembled, single-use autoinjector; and a reusable autoinjector. This study evaluated patient-perceived ease of use of two injection devices.</p> <p><b>Research design and methods</b>: REDEFINE, a Phase IV, multicenter crossover study, randomized patients with multiple sclerosis and ≥5 weeks’ IFN β-1a 44 μg SC tiw use to 4 weeks using a single-use autoinjector, then 4 weeks using a reusable autoinjector, or vice versa. The primary endpoint was the proportion rating each ‘easy’ or ‘very easy’, with/without regard to previous device experience.</p> <p><b>Results</b>: Of 97 randomized patients, 29 had most recent experience with manual injection; 23 with single-use autoinjector; and 45 with reusable autoinjector. 68.4% found using the single-use autoinjector very easy or easy, versus 77.9% for the reusable device (difference −9.5%; p = 0.200). 40.0% versus 29.5% found the respective devices very easy (difference 10.5%; p = 0.203).</p> <p><b>Conclusions</b>: Most patients found both autoinjectors easy or very easy to use. Having two viable options may help accommodate patient preferences. Ease of administration and patient satisfaction relates to adherence; satisfied patients may more likely be adherent.</p> <p><b>Trial registration</b>: The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (CT.gov identifier: NCT02019550).</p>