PATIENT-REPORTED HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: BIOLOGIC VERSUS CONVENTIONAL DMARD THERAPY IN EGYPT
Author(s)
Mariam T. Seif, BSc, MSc1, Abanoub T. Seif, BSc2, Rana M. ElDash, BSc, MSc, PhD3.
1Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, 2Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, 3Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, NewGiza University, Cairo, Egypt.
1Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, 2Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, 3Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, NewGiza University, Cairo, Egypt.
OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that negatively affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Although patient-reported outcome measures are increasingly used to assess treatment effectiveness in routine clinical practice, data from Egypt remain limited. This study was conducted to compare HRQoL among Egyptian patients with RA receiving biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) versus conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARDs) using the Arabic Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2-Short Form (AIMS2-SF).
METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted across seven tertiary-care hospitals in Egypt. Participants completed a paper-based self-administered Arabic AIMS2-SF questionnaire and were categorized by current treatment (bDMARDs or csDMARDs). Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega. Due to non-normal score distributions, group comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Multivariable linear regression evaluated the independent association between treatment and HRQoL after adjustment for age and sex.
RESULTS: A total 344 patients were included, with 172 patients in each group. Mean age was 43.9±12.9 years, with comparable age (p=0.980) and sex distribution (p=0.361) between groups. The Arabic AIMS2-SF showed excellent internal consistency (Chronbach's α=0.936; McDonald's ω=0.940). Mean overall AIMS2-SF score was significantly lower in patients receiving bDMARDs than csDMARDs (4.03±0.64 vs. 5.10±1.13; Mann-Whitney U=6440; p<0.001), indicating better HRQoL. Significant differences were observed across all domains, including physical function, symptoms, mental health, social interaction, and work-related functioning (all p<0.001). In multivaraible regression, bDMARD treatment remained independently associated with a 1.08-point reduction in AIMS2-SF score (β=-1.08; 95% CI: -1.27 to -0.88; p<0.001). Age and sex were not significant predictors (R²=0.261).
CONCLUSIONS: Among Egyptian patients with rheumatoid arthritis, despite the potential side effects associated with bDMARD therapy, its use was linked to significantly better HRQoL compared with csDMARDs, highlighting the value of biologic therapy in improving patient-reported outcomes in routine rheumatology practice.
METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted across seven tertiary-care hospitals in Egypt. Participants completed a paper-based self-administered Arabic AIMS2-SF questionnaire and were categorized by current treatment (bDMARDs or csDMARDs). Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega. Due to non-normal score distributions, group comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Multivariable linear regression evaluated the independent association between treatment and HRQoL after adjustment for age and sex.
RESULTS: A total 344 patients were included, with 172 patients in each group. Mean age was 43.9±12.9 years, with comparable age (p=0.980) and sex distribution (p=0.361) between groups. The Arabic AIMS2-SF showed excellent internal consistency (Chronbach's α=0.936; McDonald's ω=0.940). Mean overall AIMS2-SF score was significantly lower in patients receiving bDMARDs than csDMARDs (4.03±0.64 vs. 5.10±1.13; Mann-Whitney U=6440; p<0.001), indicating better HRQoL. Significant differences were observed across all domains, including physical function, symptoms, mental health, social interaction, and work-related functioning (all p<0.001). In multivaraible regression, bDMARD treatment remained independently associated with a 1.08-point reduction in AIMS2-SF score (β=-1.08; 95% CI: -1.27 to -0.88; p<0.001). Age and sex were not significant predictors (R²=0.261).
CONCLUSIONS: Among Egyptian patients with rheumatoid arthritis, despite the potential side effects associated with bDMARD therapy, its use was linked to significantly better HRQoL compared with csDMARDs, highlighting the value of biologic therapy in improving patient-reported outcomes in routine rheumatology practice.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
PCR143
Topic
Clinical Outcomes, Methodological & Statistical Research, Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient-reported Outcomes & Quality of Life Outcomes
Disease
No Additional Disease & Conditions/Specialized Treatment Areas, Systemic Disorders/Conditions (Anesthesia, Auto-Immune Disorders (n.e.c.), Hematological Disorders (non-oncologic), Pain)