Patient satisfaction and preference with the EVRA transdermal
contraceptive patch compared to the previous contraceptive method
F. Weisberg (1), C. Bouchard (2), M. Moreau (3), M. Audet (4), S. Mawdsley
(5), J. Zecevic (6), G.L.A. Horbay (6), D. Dattani (7)
Private practice, Toronto, ON, Canada (1); Centre Médical Santé Femme,
Quebec, QC, Canada (2); Private practice, Montreal, QC, Canada (3); Centre
Medical Halles de Ste-Foy , Sainte-Foy, QC, Canada (4); Dartmouth Professional
Centre, Dartmouth, NS, Canada (5); Janssen-Ortho Inc, Toronto, ON, Canada (6);
Acadia Medical Centre, Saskatoon, SK, Canada (7)
Objectives: An open-label, multicentre phase IV study evaluated
preference and satisfaction for the EVRA transdermal contraceptive patch, after
9 cycles compared to previously used contraceptive methods.
Design and Methods: To assess preference and satisfaction, 392 healthy
women were enrolled. EVRA delivers 150mcg norelgestromin/ 20mcg ethinyl
estradiol daily. Treatment cycles required 3 consecutive 7-day patch
applications, followed by 1 patchfree week. At final visit patients
ratedsatisfaction (Very satisfied/ some what satisfied/ neither satisfied/
dissatisfied/dissatisfied/ very dissatisfied) and preference for EVRA compared
to their previous method. Pearl indices were calculated. Safety and compliance
were also assessed.
Results: 302 patients completed >/=6 cycles. Baseline satisfaction
with previous contraceptive method was 81% (42% very satisfied, 39% somewhat
satisfied); 89% used oral contraceptives. After 9 cycles (n=279), 91% were
satisfied with EVRA (70% very satisfied, 21% somewhat satisfied), and 75%
preferred EVRA to the previous contraceptive (43% strongly preferred, 32%
preferred); 9% had no preference; 16% preferred their previous method (14%
preferred, 2% strongly preferred). Preference for EVRA was not different across
age groups (18–20y 76%; 21–24y 77%; 25–34y 67%; 35–45y 74%). Of parous
patients, 82% preferred EVRA, 9.5% preferred their previous method. Of
nulliparous patients, 69% preferred EVRA, 21% preferred previous method. Overall
and method-failure Pearl Indices were 0.934 and 0.481. The most common adverse
events were application site reactions, breast discomfort, headache, and nausea.
Across cycles, 88% of subjects had perfect compliance; this was not influenced
markedly by age (18–20y 89%; 21–24y 88%; 25–34y 86%; 35–45y 93%).
Conclusions: Preference and satisfaction for EVRA was high compared to
the previously used contraceptive method and was not influenced by age or parity.
Compliance was good throughout for all age groups.
