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. 2017 Jul 6;17(1):99.
doi: 10.1186/s12890-017-0439-x.

Patient preferences for dry powder inhaler attributes in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in France: a discrete choice experiment

Natalia Hawken  1 , Saku Torvinen  2 , Mohamed-Elmoctar Neine  3 , Ikbel Amri  4 , Mondher Toumi  3 , Samuel Aballéa  3 , Adam Plich  2 , Nicolas Roche  5
Affiliations

Patient preferences for dry powder inhaler attributes in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in France: a discrete choice experiment

Natalia Hawken et al. BMC Pulm Med. .

Abstract

Background: Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are often used in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) therapies. Using the discrete choice experiment (DCE) methodology, this study conducted in France was designed to assess patients' preferences for different attributes of DPIs.

Methods: Attributes of DPIs were defined based on a literature review, patient focus group discussions and interviews with healthcare professionals (qualitative phase of the study). An online survey was then conducted among French patients with asthma or COPD to elicit patient preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for these attributes using the DCE methodology (quantitative phase). A fractional factorial design including three blocks of 12 choice sets was created. Each choice set comprised three alternatives: two fictitious inhalers and the patient's current inhaler. Marginal utilities were estimated using a ranked ordered logit model. Interactions between attributes and disease (asthma or COPD) were tested.

Results: Six DPI attributes were defined based on the qualitative phase: ease of use/fool-proof priming; accurate and easy-to-read dose counter; dose confirmation; hygiene of the mouthpiece; flexibility of the device handling; ability to use the inhaler with breathing difficulties. Overall, 201 patients with asthma and 93 with COPD were included in the online survey. Patients with asthma placed most value on an inhaler that requires one step for dose preparation (WTP €4.83 [95% CI: €3.77-€5.90], relative to an inhaler requiring four steps) and one that could be used during episodes of breathing difficulties (WTP €4.49 [95% CI: €2.95-€6.02]). Patients with COPD placed most value on an inhaler that could be used during episodes of breathing difficulties (WTP €7.70 [95% CI: €5.65-€9.76]) and on the accuracy of the dose counter (WTP €5.87 [95% CI: €3.98-€ 7.77]).

Conclusion: This study suggests that asthma and COPD patients would be willing to change their inhaler if they were offered the option of a new inhaler with improved characteristics and they place a high value on an inhaler with ease of use during breathing difficulty episodes.

Keywords: Asthma; COPD; Discrete choice experiment; Patient preference; Willingness to pay.

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Conflict of interest statement

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

NH, MEN, IA, MT and SA are employees of Creativ-Ceutical; ST and AP are employees of Teva Pharmaceuticals.

NR has received fees for participating in advisory boards, presenting in scientific symposia, consulting, participating in medical congresses from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Cipla, GlaxoSmithKline, Mundipharma, Novartis, Pfizer, Sandoz, Sanofi, 3M Pharmaceutical, and Teva Pharmaceuticals; research funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, and Pfizer; and was a Study Coordinator in research funded by Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, GlaxoSmithKline, and Novartis.

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Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Three levels of importance of inhaler attributes ranked by patients with asthma
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Three levels of importance of inhaler attributes ranked by patients with COPD. COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Willingness to pay in patients with asthma
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Willingness to pay in patients with COPD. COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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