A discrete choice experiment of treatment preferences for patients with chronic glomerulonephritis in Japan

Background Novel drugs for chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) are becoming available. As treatment options increase, those that address or meet the preferences of patients with CGN may also improve treatment satisfaction and clinical outcomes. The objective of this study was to identify patient preferences for CGN treatments in Japan. Methods This study was a web-based questionnaire survey using a discrete choice experiment (DCE) among patients with CGN in Japan. Eligible patients were adults residing in Japan who reported a biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of CGN, were receiving outpatient treatment, and had visited a hospital for CGN within the previous year. Patients undergoing dialysis were excluded. The following attributes were evaluated using a DCE: effect of treatment on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), period of confirmed safety, frequency and administration method, and monthly copayment. Results Of 286 patients with CGN, 187 (65.4%) were diagnosed with IgA nephropathy. Among the attributes and levels evaluated, the effect of treatment on eGFR had the highest relative importance in the selection of novel treatments, followed by monthly copayment and frequency and administration method. Patients exhibited a preference for non-invasive oral formulations over injectable formulations. In addition, 92.0% of patients expressed a desire to receive information from their physicians on novel treatments once available. Conclusions Given the attributes and level ranges evaluated in this study, our results indicate that patients with CGN in Japan prefer novel treatments with high efficacy regarding eGFR, low copayments, and non-invasive oral formulations. The desire for information about new drugs may reflect patients’ interest in exploring novel therapeutic options. These results may help inform the development of patient-centered treatment plans that consider or meet the preferences of patients with CGN in Japan.