Notable gaps between patients’ and physicians’ perspectives on communication and disease management in Japan: multifaceted ad hoc analyses of the global Ulcerative Colitis Narrative Survey for further optimal care

Introduction: The patient–physician relationship is important in implementing appropriate management strategies. The Ulcerative Colitis (UC) Narrative Global Surveys examined patient and physician views on multiple aspects of living with UC. However, there are many other important undiscovered aspects of UC to consider for patients in Japan. Aim: The aim of these ad hoc analyses was to identify detailed practical issues for further optimal care. Methods: Patient and physician questionnaires covered broad aspects of living with UC and practical care. Results were compared to identify gaps. We conducted multifaceted ad hoc analyses on the responses from Japan. Results: In Japan, 210 patients with UC and 151 physicians were surveyed. Most (64%) patients felt they would be more successful if they did not have UC. Physicians were more likely to discuss treatment-related topics, including side effects as a proxy for medication satisfaction, than quality of life-related topics. Physicians underestimated the importance to patients of toileting accidents (28% vs 54%) and overestimated the importance of mucosal healing (59% vs 29%). Although 72% of patients felt comfortable raising concerns with their physician, 53% worried about asking too many questions, as they thought they would be seen as a difficult patient, and 66% wished they had talked more about medication fears. The majority (83%) of patients said they were honest with their physician when discussing their experiences with UC, although 45% regretted not telling them more. Some (26%) patients believed, and some (20%) were not sure, that if their symptoms were under control then their UC was not active. More positively, 65% of patients agreed that UC had made them more appreciative of the important things in life. Conclusion: This survey revealed notable gaps between patients’ and physicians’ perspectives. Consequently, the importance of patient–physician communication remains constant, even in the era of biologics and treat-to-target strategies. Plain Language Summary Overlap and differences in views around communication and management of ulcerative colitis between patients and doctors It is important to discover the different ways that ulcerative colitis (UC) can impact individual patients, and to identify differences in views between people with UC and the doctors treating them, to improve patient care. The UC Narrative is a global survey (containing two questionnaires, one for patients, and one for doct