OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of shared decision making (SDM) for initiation of biologic therapy on future outcomes and healthcare utilization among patients with autoimmune conditions (rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and anklyosing spondylitis). Patient characteristics were examined among an initial sample of 153 survey respondents. METHODS: Adult US health plan commercial enrollees with evidence of an autoimmune condition within the prior 6 months and an initial prescription for biologic treatment within the prior 2 months were identified in the Optum Research Database and mailed a survey in January 2014 (n=265) and February 2014 (n=147). Survey measures included the SDM Questionnaire (SDM-Q-9), general health status (GSRH), biologic treatment options discussed, as well as demographic and clinical characteristics.  Quan-Charlson comorbidity scores were calculated using administrative claims data for the 6 months prior to biologic therapy initiation. Data were compared between respondents who participated in SDM and those who did not (non-SDM) based on SDM-Q-9 scores. RESULTS: A total of 145 surveys were analyzed (SDM: n=53, non-SDM: n=92). Respondents were primarily female (68%), Caucasian (91%), and 50 years old, on average. SDM respondents were more likely to be female (79% vs. 62%) and have rheumatoid arthritis (62% vs. 43%), 1 or 2 comorbidities (70% vs. 42%), poorer health status (mean GSRH score, 46 vs 55), on long-term disability (13% vs. 2%), and discussed more biologic treatment options (mean number, 3 vs 2) than non-SDM respondents. Non-SDM respondents were more likely to have psoriasis (25% vs. 8%) and no comorbidities (48% vs. 23%) than SDM respondents (p<0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary results suggest that patients who participate in SDM for biologic therapy initiation differ clinically and demographically in comparison to those who do not, however these findings need to be confirmed in the final study data.