Can the General Public Be a Proxy for an “At-Risk†Group in a Patient Preference Study? A Disease Prevention Example in Rheumatoid Arthritis

R. L. DiSantostefano, G. Simons, M. Englbrecht, Jennifer H. Humphreys, Ian N. Bruce, K. Schölin Bywall, C. Radawski, K. Raza, M. Falahee and J. Veldwijk
Additional contact information
R. L. DiSantostefano: Janssen Research & Development, Titusville, NJ, USA
G. Simons: Rheumatology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
M. Englbrecht: freelance healthcare data scientist, Eckental, Germany
Jennifer H. Humphreys: Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Ian N. Bruce: Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
K. Schölin Bywall: Mälardalen University, Vasteras, Västmanland, SE
C. Radawski: Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
K. Raza: Rheumatology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
M. Falahee: Rheumatology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
J. Veldwijk: School of Health Policy & Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Medical Decision Making, 2024, vol. 44, issue 2, 189-202

Abstract: Background When selecting samples for patient preference studies, it may be difficult or impractical to recruit participants who are eligible for a particular treatment decision. However, a general public sample may not be an appropriate proxy. Objective This study compares preferences for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) preventive treatments between members of the general public and first-degree relatives (FDRs) of confirmed RA patients to assess whether a sample of the general public can be used as a proxy for FDRs. Methods Participants were asked to imagine they were experiencing arthralgia and had screening tests indicating a 60% chance of developing RA within 2 yrs. Using a discrete choice experiment, participants were offered a series of choices between no treatment and 2 unlabeled hypothetical treatments to reduce the risk of RA. To assess data quality, time to complete survey sections and comprehension questions were assessed. A random parameter logit model was used to obtain attribute-level estimates, which were used to calculate relative importance, maximum acceptable risk (MAR), and market shares of hypothetical preventive treatments. Results The FDR sample ( n  = 298) spent more time completing the survey and performed better on comprehension questions compared with the general public sample ( n  = 982). The relative importance ranking was similar between the general public and FDR participant samples; however, other relative preference measures involving weights including MARs and market share differed between groups, with FDRs having numerically higher MARs. Conclusion In the context of RA prevention, the general public (average risk) may be a reasonable proxy for a more at-risk sample (FDRs) for overall relative importance ranking but not weights. The rationale for a proxy sample should be clearly justified. Highlights Participants from the general public were compared to first-degree relatives on their preferences for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) preventive treatments using a discrete choice experiment. Preferences were similar between groups in terms of the most important and least important attributes of preventive treatments, with effectiveness being the most important attribute. However, relative weights differed. Attention to the survey and predicted market shares of hypothetical RA preventive treatments differed between the general public and first-degree relatives. The general public may be a reasonable proxy for an at-risk group for patient preferences ranks but not weights in the disease prevention context; however, care should be taken in sample selection for patient preference studies when choosing nonpatients.

Keywords: patient preferences; stated preferences; proxy respondents; recruitment; sampling; rheumatoid arthritis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:medema:v:44:y:2024:i:2:p:189-202

DOI: 10.1177/0272989X231218265

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