PatientsLikeMe teams-up with AstraZeneca, unveils MS study results

PatientsLikeMe Survey Results head

In two separate press releases, PatientsLikeMe announced a global research collaboration with AstraZeneca and results of a study that showed how people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) can use wearable activity tracking devices to collect and share their mobility data.

AstraZeneca deal

The two companies have signed a five-year agreement to provide access to PatientsLikeMe’s global network in support of AstraZeneca’s patient-driven research initiatives.

With more than 38,000 members, PatientsLikeMe’s MS community is the largest and most active MS research community online.As part of the deal, AstraZeneca will use patient-reported data from PatientsLikeMe to shape future medicine development and help improve outcomes across its main therapeutic areas, with an initial focus on respiratory disease, lupus, diabetes and oncology.

“Understanding what patients are experiencing every day and how they define the value of their treatments are fundamental to our ability to push the boundaries of science in developing the next-generation of medicines,” said Briggs Morrison, EVP Global Medicines Development, AstraZeneca.

The partnership was described as a major step forward to make patient-centric evidence a cornerstone of scientific discovery and development.

The study

Conducted with Biogen, the study showed how people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) can use wearable devices to collect and share their mobility data, which could potentially provide relevant information to their clinicians and to other MS patients.

“Consumer devices can measure number of steps, distance walked, and sleep quality on a continuous basis in a person’s home environment,” said Richard Rudick, MD, vice president, Value Based Medicine, Biogen. “These data could provide potentially important information to supplement office visit exams.”

In the study, 248 PatientsLikeMe members were provided with Fitbit One activity trackers. Of those who received them, 213 (82%) activated the device with the Fitbit website and authorized PatientsLikeMe to access their data. 2013 of those who authorized sharing of the data synchronized the device with the service and produced tracking data. Participants synced an average 18.21 days of data over the 21-day study (87% adherence).

The three-week study had a lasting impact on its participants, who together took a total of 15 million steps and walked 6,820 miles, which is the distance from Boston to Beijing.

After the study period, participants were surveyed to learn more about their study experiences and about their attitudes toward technology and physical activity tracking. Of the 191 participants who responded to the post-study survey, 88% reported the device was easy to use and incorporate into their daily routine; 83% agreed that they would continue to use the device after the study; and 68% believed that the device would be useful to them in managing their MS.

With more than 38,000 members, PatientsLikeMe’s MS community is the largest and most active MS research community online.

PatientsLikeMe Survey Results