Patient preferences for sensory attributes of intranasal corticosteroids and willingness to adhere to prescribed therapy for allergic rhinitis: a conjoint analysis.

BACKGROUND

Sensory attributes of intranasal corticosteroid (INS) products vary.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate patient preferences for INS sensory attributes and the degree to which attributes influence patients' willingness to adhere to therapy.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study with 120 individuals across 4 US allergy/immunology clinics. Respondents chose between pairs of hypothetical INSs differing in sensory attribute composition. We measured the strength of preferences for 6 sensory attributes (smell, taste, aftertaste, throat rundown, nose runout, and feel of spray in nose or throat). Preferences were measured for 3 intensity levels of each sensory attribute (eg, no taste, weak taste, and strong taste). Other outcomes included an importance score for each sensory attribute and patients' willingness to adhere to therapy with an INS with the lowest intensity levels of each sensory attribute vs one with moderate intensity levels.

RESULTS

Preferences decreased with increasing intensity levels of each sensory attribute. Aftertaste was the most important attribute in 28% of patients, taste in 19%, throat rundown in 18%, nose runout in 12%, smell in 11%, and feel of spray in 7%. If instructed to take an INS daily for 3 months, 77% of patients stated that they would definitely be able to follow their physician's advice (willingness to adhere) if given one containing the lowest level of each sensory attribute vs 4% if given one having moderate levels (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Patient preferences are inversely related to increasing intensity levels of sensory attributes and affect patients' willingness to adhere to therapy. Application of patient preferences when selecting INSs could improve adherence.