IBD biologics decision aid not superior to static education in improving patient outcomes

Patient outcomes are not significantly different between the use of biologics fact sheet and the ibdandme.org (IBD&me), a freely available, unbranded, interactive decision aid, a study has shown. High satisfaction is noted with both resources.

A group of researchers enrolled 152 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who were being seen at a clinic within IBD Qorus, a multicentre adult IBD learning health system, between 5 March 2019 and 14 May 2021. Those with recent IBD-related symptoms who reported that they wanted to discuss biologics with their provider during their upcoming visit were eligible to participate.

The researchers randomized patients (IBD&me: n=77; biologics fact sheet: n=75) using stratified block randomization. One week prior to their visit, participants received an email inviting them to review either IBD&me or a fact sheet.

Patient perception of shared decision-making (SDM), as measured by the 9-Item SDM Questionnaire (0‒100 scale; higher = better), was the primary outcome. Outcomes between the two groups were compared using the Student t test.

Of the participants, 66.4 percent had Crohn’s disease and 82.9 percent had been treated with a biologic agent. No between-group difference was observed regarding SDM (fact sheet: 72.6; IBD&me: 75.0; p=0.57). Most patients stated that they would likely recommend the fact sheet (79.6 percent) or IBD&me (84.9 percent; p=0.48) to other IBD patients.

“Further study, particularly among biologic naïve patients, is needed to determine the utility of interactive components to IBD decision aids,” the researchers said.