Assessment of Patient Perceptions about Use of Wepox Pen^TM (Recombinant Erythropoietin Delivery Device with 30,000 IU Cartridge) in the Management of Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Abstract

Objective: To assess perceptions about ease of use and other benefits of Wepox Pen^TM (loaded with 30,000 IU cartridge of recombinant erythropoietin) in the management of anemia in adult chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Material and methods: In this prospective, observational, multicentric post marketing surveillance, adult CKD patients treated with erythropoietin were enrolled from November 2015 to December 2016 to understand their opinions about Wepox Pen^TM. Ease of use of pen, ease of administering accurate dose, confidence in administration and ease of storage and disposal of cartridge were assessed on five points Likert scale: 1. very easy; 2. somewhat easy; 3. neither easy nor difficult; 4. somewhat difficult; 5. very difficult. Global assessment was performed on five points scale: 1. excellent; 2. very good; 3. good; 4. average; 5. not good. Safety was recorded by checking pain and discomfort and adverse events. Results: A total of 263 patients (mean age 32.87 years; 66% male; 34% female) were enrolled. Number of patients reporting ease of use as “very easy” from 209 (80.7%) at baseline increased to 245 (94.6%) and 249 (96.1%) at visit 2 (p = 0.001) and visit 3 (p = 0.001) respectively. Number of “very easy” response for accurate dose increased from 236 (91.1%) at visit 1 to 246 (95%) at visit 2 (p = 0.84) and 249 (96.1%) at visit 3 (p = 0.001). Number of the patients with “no pain” at injection site increased from 177 (68.3%) at visit 1 to 205 (79.2%) and 212 (81.9%) at visit 2 (p = 0.001) and visit 3 (p = 0.001) respectively. Improvement in number of patients with “no hurt” at visit 2 (p = 0.538) and visit 3 (p = 0.286) was not statistically significant. Number of patients reporting “somewhat easy” to “very easy” confidence in self injection increased from 251 (96.9%) at visit 2 to 255 (98.5%) at visit 3. Number of patients reporting ease of storage and disposal of cartridge as “somewhat easy” to “very easy” increased from 254 (98.1%) at visit 2 to 256 (98.9%) at visit 3. According to the global assessment, 144 (56.3%) cases reported “excellent” response. “Very good” and “Good” responses were reported by 106 (41.4%) and 6 (2.3%) patients respectively. A total of 230 (98.7%) patients said that they would prefer to use erythropoietin pen device for further treatment too. Conclusion: Wepox Pen TM (recombinant erythropoietin) is easy to use and does not cause significant pain or discomfort. Ability to self-administer recombinant erythropoietin with Wepox Pen TM is a great advantage which can make a significant difference for both CKD patients and doctors. Storage and disposal of cartridge is also easy.