Experience with Intravenous Biological Therapies among Iraqi Patients with Rheumatological Diseases

Background: Subcutaneous and intravenous administration of biologic agents differ not only in routes of administration but also in dosing schedules, costs, onset of efficacy, and immunogenicity, which are associated with patients? preferences and corresponding persistence in treatment utilization. Additionally, injection issues (depending on the route of administration and agent type) have been shown to influence patients? utilization of biological therapies. Objective: The main objective of this study was to describe patients' experiences with intravenous (IV) biologics for specific rheumatologic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis. Patients and Methods: A cross - sectional study was conducted through interviews with 196 patients with the above - mentioned autoimmune rheumatic diseases who were currently receiving IV biologics at Baghdad Teaching Hospital. Patients were asked to describe the advantages and disadvantages associated with their experience of IV infusion with biologic drugs. Results: On a 7 - point Likert scale (1 = not at all satisfied; 7 = very satisfied), 90.3% of patients rated their satisfaction as 5, 6, or 7. The most frequently perceived benefit of IV therapy was related to infusion center visits, which act as an additional assessment opportunity alongside regular doctor visits; this benefit was reported by 88.8% of patients. Fifty - one percent of patients reported experiencing ?No disadvantage? in receiving IV biologic therapy, and 25% noted that the duration of infusion was too long as a perceived disadvantage. The two most common reasons for preferring IV therapy were the less frequent dosing regimen, reported by 81.6% of patients, and the belief held by 54.1% of patients that intravenous infusion was always effective; these patients had no experience with subcutaneous therapy. Conclusions: Patients using IV biologics are highly satisfied with their medications, with preferences driven by less frequent dosing, the perceived effectiveness of IV injections, and the ease of remembering dosing when an appointment is scheduled for them.