Comparison of packages for suppositories by patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Ninety-four patients with rheumatoid arthritis were asked via a questionnaire about the convenience of packages containing tablets, capsules, or suppositories for home use. Almost half of the patients stated that they had difficulty in opening packages containing capsules or tablets, and two-thirds had difficulty with the packages used for suppositories. The characteristics of six packages used for suppositories were also compared. Patients were given the packages in random order and were asked to open them and remove a suppository. Many of them were unable to open three of the packages with their hands. The evaluation of the six packages by the patients differed widely.