Cost-effectiveness of adding magnetic resonance imaging to rheumatoid arthritis management.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Early, aggressive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) improves outcomes but confers increased risk. Risk stratification to target aggressive treatment of high-risk individuals with early RA is considered important to optimize outcomes while minimizing clinical and monetary costs. Some advocate the addition of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to standard RA risk stratification with clinical markers for patients early in the disease course. Our objective was to determine the incremental cost-effectiveness of adding MRI to standard risk stratification in early RA.

Methods

Using a decision analysis model of standard risk stratification with or without MRI, followed by escalated standard treatment protocols based on treatment response, we estimated 1-year and lifeti

SUBMITTER: Suter LG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4047037 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature