Non-persistence and non-adherence to MTX therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective cohort study based on German RA patients.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study aimed to assess the level of nonpersistence (NP) and nonadherence (NA) to methotrexate (MTX) therapy in German patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Materials and methods

Based on German claims data, RA patients who received a MTX therapy (subgroup: treatment-naive patients) were analyzed. NP was defined as treatment gap >12 weeks. Regarding NA, it is the overall medication possession ratio (MPR) during an observational period of 12 or 24 months after therapy, and the MPR is calculated only for the periods of therapy continuation; NA was defined as MPR <80%.

Results

A total of 7,146 RA patients who received at least one MTX prescription (subgroup: 1,211 treatment-naive patients) could be observed (mean age: 64.4 years, 73.6% female). Percentage

SUBMITTER: Muller S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5530851 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature