Patient and caregiver experiences with a patient-support program for setmelanotide treatment of patients with Bardet–Biedl syndrome

作者：Ilja Finkelberg, Ioanna Maria Polichronidou, Tom Hühne, Pia Brensing, Sinem Karaterzi, Johannes Jaegers, Anja Gäckler, Lars Pape, Metin Cetiner · 发表于：Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1186/s13023-025-03835-9 · 被引用次数：9 · 研究领域：Genetic and Kidney Cyst Diseases、Hedgehog Signaling Pathway Studies、Cystic Fibrosis Research Advances

BACKGROUND: Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare genetic disease caused by impaired cilium function and characterized by a plethora of symptoms, including hyperphagia and early-onset obesity, that negatively affect patient and caregiver quality of life. Here, we assessed real-world patient expectations and experiences before and during treatment with setmelanotide, a melanocortin-4 receptor agonist shown to reduce hunger and body weight in patients with BBS. METHODS: An online survey was conducted to capture the real-world experience of patients with BBS and their caregivers regarding setmelanotide treatment and the use of a specialist nurse support service aimed at educating patients and their caregivers, and enabling them to administer injections independently. The survey was administered between January 2024 and May 2024 to participants who began treatment between June 2023 and December 2023 at a single center in Germany. RESULTS: Of the 35 respondents, 10 were pediatric patients, 13 were adult patients, and 12 were caregivers. Prior to treatment, the most commonly reported symptoms by pediatric patients and caregivers were insatiable hunger (80% and 83%, respectively) and obesity (50% and 92%, respectively); for adult patients, key symptoms were vision loss (92%) and obesity (69%). Setmelanotide reduced feelings of insatiable hunger and had a positive effect on body weight: ≥ 92% of respondents across survey groups reported feeling less hunger, feeling satiated after mea...