Economic Burden in Adult Patients Diagnosed With Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Receiving Treatment With Biologic Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (bDMARDs)

Economic Burden in Adult Patients Diagnosed With Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Receiving Treatment With Biologic Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (bDMARDs)

The purpose of this study is to explore the differences in productivity loss and costs between patients being treated for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) compared to patients treated with conventional DMARDs.

Time Perspective: Prospective with some retrospective analysis of claims data

Inclusion Criteria:

• Evidence of a bDMARD or DMARD during the identification period (01 February 2009 - 31 July 2009)
• 18 years of age or older at the index year
• At least 12 months of continuous enrollment in a large commercial US health plan affiliated with i3 Innovus, including the at least 6 months and up to 12 months prior the index date (i.e., the pre-index period) and at least 6 months following the index date (i.e., the post-index (follow-up) period)
• Diagnosis of RA (reported on baseline survey)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of psoriasis, plaque psoriasis, or psoriatic arthritis (ICD-9 code 696.0x, or 696.1x), ankylosing spondylitis (720.0x), Crohn's disease (555.x), non-Hodgkins lymphoma (200.xx, 202.0x-202.2x, 202.7x-202.8x), or ulcerative colitis (556.x) in any position at any time during the 18-month identification period