User:Karin Bywall (UU)

I am a PhD student in the IMI-funded PREFER project. The project is aiming to investigate methodologies to elicit informed patient preferences regarding the benefits and risks of drugs, from development through the entire cycle, to inform the decision-making process by regulators.

My PhD project focuses on patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). These patients suffer from inflammation in their joints that could cause tenderness, swelling and damage. There are different treatment options with different risks and benefits for this patients. This is a reason why RA makes an interesting case for preference studies. If patients can have a treatment that matches what they want, they will probably be more satisfied and take their medication more regularly.