NEW YORK, May 24, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kantar Health, a leading global healthcare consulting and market research firm, has launched a new mobile survey application that collects qualitative and quantitative insights from patients, allowing researchers to see the associations between patients' daily disease-related experiences and their health-related outcomes. Results from the pilot study using this methodology were presented today at the ISPOR (International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research) 21st Annual International Meeting.
The pilot research was conducted among patients with rheumatoid arthritis who participated in a seven-day pain diary study. The patients downloaded the Kantar Health mobile survey app, which collected quantitative data, such as comorbidities and treatment, and posed questions related to the McGill Pain Questionnaire. It asked them to rate the presence and severity of 15 pain dimensions and pain intensity. In addition, the app allowed patients to upload pictures and videos that captured their pain experience along with captions for their uploaded materials.
"This research shows the advantage that mobile has over other survey media by enabling researchers to see changes over time," said Brian Mondry, Global Head of Digital Innovation at Kantar Health. "Among these rheumatoid arthritis patients, we were clearly able to see the ebbs and flows of pain throughout the week. Additionally, the ability to upload pictures enabled us to see the true effect of pain on their lives – from their interactions with their children to feeling overwhelmed by household chores."
Key patient findings from the research included:
- Pain described as "stabbing" was most strongly associated with anxiety and depression.
- "Punishing" pain was most strongly associated with greater pain intensity.
- Pain described as "hot/burning" and "exhausting" were the most consistent over time, whereas "punishing," "shooting" and "gnawing" were the most variable.
- "Aching," "tiring/exhausting" and "throbbing" were the most common dimensions of pain.
Mondry added, "Our findings, coupled with the qualitative rating of each patient's pain, give a unique perspective into which dimensions of pain are most associated with health outcomes and the patient experience, which in turn can help better inform disease management and treatment, ultimately improving quality of life."
Watch our video to learn more about the mobile survey app and the results of the pilot study.
About Kantar Health
Kantar Health is a leading global healthcare consulting firm and trusted advisor to many pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device and diagnostic companies worldwide. It combines evidence-based research capabilities with deep scientific, therapeutic and clinical knowledge, commercial development know-how, and brand and marketing expertise to help clients evaluate opportunities, launch products and maintain brand and market leadership.
Kantar Health deeply understands the influence of patients, payers and physicians, especially as they relate to the performance and payment of medicines and the delivery of healthcare services. Its 600+ healthcare industry specialists work across the product lifecycle, from preclinical development to launch, acting as catalysts to successful decision-making in life sciences and helping clients prioritize their product development and portfolio activities, differentiate their brands and drive product success post-launch. Kantar Health is part of Kantar, the data investment management division of WPP. For more information, please visit www.kantarhealth.com.