SMA HRQoL Cross-Sectional Study

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    A cross-sectional health-related quality of life (HRQoL) study in paediatric and adults patients with SMA and their caregivers, in the United Kingdom.

  • IRAS ID

    326949

  • Contact name

    Sophie Guest

  • Contact email

    sophie.guest@roche.com

  • Sponsor organisation

    Roche Products Limited

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    0 years, 2 months, 20 days

  • Research summary

    Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare, genetic neuromuscular disease characterised by progressive motor issues and muscular weakness. SMA is caused by a loss of function of the SMN1 gene. This gene encodes Survival of Motor Neuron protein, which is essential for the function of motor neurons responsible for walking, arm movement, head and neck movement, swallowing and breathing. Individuals with SMA experience gradually worsening physical disability.

    Risdiplam is an orally administered treatment for SMA, indicated for the treatment of 5q SMA in patients ≥2 months of age, with a clinical diagnosis of SMA type 1, type 2 or type 3 or with 1–4 SMN2 copies. Risdiplam is currently available under the conditions of an NHS England Managed Access Agreement. A previous Single Technology Appraisal to NICE evaluating risdiplam for the treatment of SMA, used utility data collected using the EQ-5D-5L measure. NICE raised concerns regarding the patient utility data and the lack of caregiver utility data available in SMA. A review of the EQ-5D utility data obtained from risdiplam clinical trials demonstrate that the tool is inappropriate for use in SMA, due to its insensitivity to changes in patient health states.

    The purpose of this study is to generate utility data to quantify health-related quality of life (HRQoL) associated with health states in people with SMA and their caregivers. This will be achieved with a cross-sectional survey, developed using existing HRQoL tools, which have been determined through research and expert opinion as valid for use in SMA. The study will include paediatric (aged 0–18) and adult patients (aged >19) with SMA, and their caregivers living in the UK. The study is sponsored by Roche Products Limited (a pharmaceutical company), advertised by SMA UK (a patient advocacy group) and run by Costello Medical (an independent, UK-based research consultancy).

  • REC name

    North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    23/NE/0163

  • Date of REC Opinion

    9 Oct 2023

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion