Willingness to accept risk in the treatment of rheumatic disease.

• DOI: 10.1136/jech.44.3.249
• Publication Date: 2008-11-12T20:10:54Z
• Authors: B J O'Brien; J Elswood; A Calin
• Keywords: Willingness to accept

STUDY OBJECTIVE--The aim was to assess patients willingness accept mortal risk in the drug treatment of chronic rheumatic disease. DESIGN--A non-random sample consecutive were interviewed with a standardised survey instrument. SETTING--The study took place Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases, Bath, UK. PATIENTS--100 in- and out-patients aged 65 or less interviewed, 50 rheumatoid arthritis ankylosing spondylitis. Mean age 48 years mean disease duration 14 years. The group mainly female (84%), v 26% spondylitis group. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS--Risk preferences elicited using method standard gamble context hypothetical new drug. Patients indicated maximum percentage probability mortality they regarded as acceptable achieve four different levels benefit: total cure (20.7%), relief pain (16.9%), stiffness (13.1%), return normal functioning (14.5%). Rheumatoid displayed higher (p than 0.05) all gambles except stiffness. Analysis variance that decreases increases reductions self assessed health status. CONCLUSIONS--Evaluative methods such can elicit useful risk-benefit preference data from assist those who manage clinical risks.