OBJECTIVES: A targeted literature review was performed to assess economic modelling approaches utilized in published economic evaluations of pharmacological interventions for lupus nephritis (LN)/ systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS: Biomedical databases (EMBASE^®, and MEDLINE^®) were searched to identify published economic evaluations for pharmacological interventions in lupus population (LN/ SLE) and were included.

RESULTS: A total of 18 studies were identified from 3,353 citations assessing unique models in lupus population included. Out of these, 13 studies were based on the SLE while the remaining five belong to LN patient population. More than half of the studies (n = 13) were cost-utility analysis (eight SLE and five LN studies), followed by some budget impact analyses (n = 4; all SLE studies) with one cost-consequence analysis (SLE study). Most models had a microsimulation structure (n = 6; all SLE studies), followed by Markov one (n = 4; one SLE and three LN studies). Most common perspective was Payer (n = 10; nine SLE and one LN), followed by Societal (n = 4; one SLE and three LN), and three studies reported both Payer and Societal (two SLE and one LN). Majority of the studies evaluated belimumab treatment compared to standard of care (n =13; 12 SLE studies and one LN study). Belimumab was shown to be cost-effective, in terms of both ICER and ICUR (ICUR: $95,000 - $101,757) across North America, in Europe (ICER: €18,350 - €25,619; ICUR: €27,254 - €35,640) and among rest of the world.

CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence suggests that a higher number of economic evaluations were published among SLE compared to LN patient population and belimumab is likely a cost-effective addition to existing treatment regimens.