Patterns of use, dosing, and economic impact of biologic agent use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Variability in dosing and costs of biologics among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is of interest to healthcare descision-makers. We examined dosing and costs among RA patients newly treated with infliximab or etanercept under conditions of typical clinical practice.

Methods

Integrated pharmacy and medical claims data were obtained from 61 U.S. health plans. RA patients newly treated with infliximab or etanercept between July 1999-June 2002 were selected. A maintenance number of infliximab vials was determined after the "loading period" (2-3 infusions); those with >or= 2 occurrences of an increase in vials or an interval between infusions of <49 days were considered to have had escalated. For etanercept patients, escalation was based on >or= 2 instances of

SUBMITTER: Gilbert TD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC526206 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature