Author:
Schoels Monika,Wong John,Scott David L,Zink Angela,Richards Pamela,Landewé Robert,Smolen Josef S,Aletaha Daniel
Abstract
ObjectiveTo review the cost effectiveness of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatments and inform the clinical recommendations by the European League Against Rheumatism.MethodsA systematic literature search and review of the health economic evidence on RA treatment options was performed.ResultsDespite diverse methodological approaches, health economic analyses are concordant: at onset of disease, traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are cost effective—that is, treatment merits outweigh treatment costs. If DMARDs fail, therapeutic escalation with tumour necrosis factor α inhibitors (TNFi) is cost effective when standard dosing schemes are employed. If TNFi fail, rituximab or abatacept is cost effective. Economic evidence for switching TNFi remains sparse.ConclusionsThe costly sequelae of insufficiently controlled RA justify intensive escalations of treatment in this disease. By maintaining function, patients are kept in the work process, reducing indirect costs. Quality of life is improved at an expense commonly accepted for chronic diseases. Effective control of disease activity seems to be a prudent use of societal resources.
Subject
General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,Immunology,Immunology and Allergy,Rheumatology
Cited by
113 articles.
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