Effect of Patient Cost Sharing on Treatment Discontinuation Among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Effect of Patient Cost Sharing on Treatment Discontinuation Among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Treated With Biologic Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drug (DMARD) Therapies

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of patient cost sharing on treatment discontinuation of biologic agents in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Patients diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) who newly initiated a biologic DMARD (bDMARD) during a study timeframe of 1/01/06 to 3/31/09.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 to 64 years of age at index date
• Diagnosis of RA during the study period (ICD-9CM 714.xx)
• Evidence of at least one biologic DMARD of interest during the study timeframe
• Continuous enrollment during the study timeframe
• Both medical and pharmacy benefits
• No evidence of a claim for a bDMARD in the 6-month pre-period

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients are excluded if they have a diagnosis of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis at any time during the study timeframe; have a claim for Rituxan, IV etanercept, or IV adalimumab; or have Medicare or Medicaid during the study timeframe