Abstract
Biological agents are widely used for the management of systemic rheumatic diseases (SRDs) and their therapeutic implications have been expanded beyond inflammatory arthropathies to more complicated autoimmune disorders, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, vasculitis, and systemic sclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate treatment satisfaction and overall experience of SRDs' patients receiving biologics as well as to explore patient's perspectives on the quality of services provided by rheumatology departments and to determine factors related to the level of satisfaction. We performed a synchronous correlation study. Patients with SRDs answered an anonymous questionnaire assessing their satisfaction and how treatment with biologics has affected their quality of life and functionality. Sample consisted by 244 patients (65.2% women), with mean age of 50.4 years, and the most common diagnosis was rheumatoid arthritis (37.3%). Sixty one percent of patients received intravenous therapy and 39% subcutaneously. Overall, 80.5% of the patients reported a positive/very positive effect of their treatment on their life. The average total patient satisfaction from the unit was 79.8%. The presence of mental disease was significantly associated with less positive impact of the treatment on patients' life, worse quality of life, and greater pain. In conclusion, patients with a broad spectrum of SRDs were generally satisfied and treatment with biologic regimens appeared to have a positive impact on several aspects of their life. The majority of patients were at least satisfied with all the characteristics of the unit staff and better quality of life was associated with greater satisfaction about the Unit and more positive affect of the treatment in patients' life.