Clinical and Economic Analysis in Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment: A Managed Care Experience
Author(s)
Marcelo E. Nita, MSc, PhD, MD1, Nathalia Silva, MBA2, Bianca Fontana Aguiar, MSc2, Jaime Rocha, MSc2, Thiago Wollinger3, Luana Lopes, MSc1;
1MAPESolutions, São Paulo, Brazil, 2Unimed Curitiba, Curitiba, PR, Brazil, 3Researcher, São Paulo, Brazil
1MAPESolutions, São Paulo, Brazil, 2Unimed Curitiba, Curitiba, PR, Brazil, 3Researcher, São Paulo, Brazil
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical progression, treatment costs, and quality of life of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) managed at a healthcare organization over a 12-month period.
METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted, involving four treatment cycles with data collected quarterly. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were performed, focusing on clinical parameters such as joint inflammation and neurological symptoms. Cost analyses were carried out using a micro-costing approach, standardizing costs based on medication and care expenses.
RESULTS: In Cycle 1, 20 patients (14 female, 6 male; 13 aged 61-80 years) were evaluated. Most showed no joint inflammation (small joints: 9 patients; large joints: 9 patients), while peripheral paresthesia was reported in 5 patients. Monthly treatment costs ranged from BRL 777.00 (Actemra) to BRL 13,000 (Remsima). In Cycle 2, 17 patients (11 female, 6 male; 13 aged 61-80 years) were assessed. Inflammation remained absent in most cases (small joints: 12 patients; large joints: 12 patients), with peripheral paresthesia observed in 3 patients. Treatment costs remained consistent, with Remsima (BRL 13,043) as the highest-cost option and Actemra (BRL 777.00) the lowest.
CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the variability in clinical presentation and treatment costs among RA patients. While joint inflammation decreased and neurological symptoms stabilized over time, the high financial burden of biologics like Remsima underscores the need for individualized care strategies to optimize clinical outcomes and resource allocation.
METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted, involving four treatment cycles with data collected quarterly. Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses were performed, focusing on clinical parameters such as joint inflammation and neurological symptoms. Cost analyses were carried out using a micro-costing approach, standardizing costs based on medication and care expenses.
RESULTS: In Cycle 1, 20 patients (14 female, 6 male; 13 aged 61-80 years) were evaluated. Most showed no joint inflammation (small joints: 9 patients; large joints: 9 patients), while peripheral paresthesia was reported in 5 patients. Monthly treatment costs ranged from BRL 777.00 (Actemra) to BRL 13,000 (Remsima). In Cycle 2, 17 patients (11 female, 6 male; 13 aged 61-80 years) were assessed. Inflammation remained absent in most cases (small joints: 12 patients; large joints: 12 patients), with peripheral paresthesia observed in 3 patients. Treatment costs remained consistent, with Remsima (BRL 13,043) as the highest-cost option and Actemra (BRL 777.00) the lowest.
CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the variability in clinical presentation and treatment costs among RA patients. While joint inflammation decreased and neurological symptoms stabilized over time, the high financial burden of biologics like Remsima underscores the need for individualized care strategies to optimize clinical outcomes and resource allocation.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
EE280
Topic
Economic Evaluation
Topic Subcategory
Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies
Disease
SDC: Musculoskeletal Disorders (Arthritis, Bone Disorders, Osteoporosis, Other Musculoskeletal)