Knowledge and Attitudes of Patients with Rheumatoid Diseases towards Biosimilars

To assess patients' understanding and attitudes towards biosimilars in rheumatoid diseases in Greece.

A convenience sample of patients with rheumatoid diseases who were members of the largest rheumatoid patient association (RHEUMAZIN) in Greece was selected for this survey. Data on patients' knowledge and attitudes towards biosimilars were collected with a web-based questionnaire.

Among the 309 patients, 60.2% were being treated with bio-originator products, 11% with biosimilars and another 28.8% did not know the type of their biologic therapy. Only 43.7% of the respondents reported they had adequate information about biologic treatments. About 47.9% knew what biosimilars are exactly and 81.2% stated that they need more information about them. The most influential patient information sources about biologics were rheumatologists (88.3%), the Internet (45%), and patient associations (40.5%). Only about 55-60% of the participants thought that biosimilars are comparable to their reference products in terms of safety, effectiveness, quality and regulatory requirements. Patients with adequate knowledge about biosimilars were significantly less concerned about switching from their reference products. A higher education level, previous biosimilar treatment experience, having rheumatologists, patient associations, regulatory bodies and the internet as main information sources, being better informed about the disease, biologic therapies and biosimilars, working and having adequate information about biosimilars were univariately associated with a significantly higher likelihood of having a positive attitude towards biosimilars.

There is an urgent need for patient education about biosimilars in rheumatic diseases in Greece to enhance patient knowledge and ensure informed decisions on biosimilar use.