Economic Burden of Patients with Inadequate Response to Targeted Immunomodulators for Rheumatoid Arthritis

An Access-Focused Patient-Centric Value Assessment Framework for Medication Formulary Decision-Making in Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases

The healthcare system in the United States (US) is complex and often fragmented across national and regional health plans which exhibit substantial variability in benefit design and formulary policies for accessing medications. We propose an access-focused value assessment framework for formulary decision-making for medications to manage immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs), where patients are at the center of this framework. Formulary decision-making for IMID medications can be a challenging, even daunting, task with continuously evolving and enhanced treat-to-target goals. Given the complexity of the US healthcare system, patients and their caregivers need assurance from formulary decision-makers that rapid, predictable, and sustained access to both well-established treatments and innovative therapies will be a priority, with a particular emphasis on continuity of effective care. This access-focused patient-centric (APAC) value assessment approach encompasses three "value components"-higher therapeutic goals, better health-related quality of life, and improved work productivity-the monetization of which can be derived using data from clinical trials when real-world data are yet to become available. Measures and assessment approaches are outlined to serve as a pragmatic tool for decision-makers in the US to ensure timely delivery and sustained access of clinically indicated therapies aimed to improve patient outcomes, enhance equity, and increase efficiency.

Inflammatory tissue priming: novel insights and therapeutic opportunities for inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Due to optimised treatment strategies and the availability of new therapies during the last decades, formerly devastating chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic sclerosis (SSc) have become less menacing. However, in many patients, even state-of-the-art treatment cannot induce remission. Moreover, the risk for flares strongly increases once anti-inflammatory therapy is tapered or withdrawn, suggesting that underlying pathological processes remain active even in the absence of overt inflammation. It has become evident that tissues have the ability to remember past encounters with pathogens, wounds and other irritants, and to react more strongly and/or persistently to the next occurrence. This priming of the tissue bears a paramount role in defence from microbes, but on the other hand drives inflammatory pathologies (the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde aspect of tissue adaptation). Emerging evidence suggests that long-lived tissue-resident cells, such as fibroblasts, macrophages, long-lived plasma cells and tissue-resident memory T cells, determine inflammatory tissue priming in an interplay with infiltrating immune cells of lymphoid and myeloid origin, and with systemically acting factors such as cytokines, extracellular vesicles and antibodies. Here, we review the current state of science on inflammatory tissue priming, focusing on tissue-resident and tissue-occupying cells in arthritis and SSc, and reflect on the most promising treatment options targeting the maladapted tissue response during these diseases.

Real-World Treatment and Care Patterns in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Initiating First-Line Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Therapy in the United States

OBJECTIVE

Treatment guidelines for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) recommend targeting low disease activity or remission and switching therapies for patients not reaching those targets. We evaluated real-world use of disease activity measures, treatment discontinuation, and switching patterns among patients with RA initiating a first-line tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi).

METHODS

Data from adult patients with RA initiating a first-line TNFi were collected from the American Rheumatology Network (January 2014-August 2021). The proportion of patients with recorded disease activity scores (Clinical Disease Activity Index [CDAI] or Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 [RAPID3]) at TNFi initiation was assessed. Among patients with moderate or severe RA at TNFi initiation, reasons for discontinuation and subsequent advanced therapy were evaluated.

RESULTS

Among TNFi initiators (n = 15,182), 44.8% recorded a CDAI/RAPID3 score at treatment initiation; of those who did not, 47.0% had recorded a tender and/or swollen joint count or pain score. Among patients with moderate or severe RA (n = 1,651), 52% discontinued their initial TNFi during follow-up, of which 15%, 46%, 28%, and 12% initiated the same TNFi, another TNFi, a non-TNFi biologic, or a Janus kinase inhibitor, respectively. The proportion of patients restarting the same TNFi or initiating another TNFi varied according to TNFi discontinuation reason.

CONCLUSION

In clinical practice, over half of patients with RA initiating a first-line TNFi did not have baseline disease activity assessments. Many patients cycled through TNFi despite citing lack of efficacy as the most common reason for discontinuation. Consistent, objective monitoring of treatment response and timely switch to effective therapy is needed in patients with RA.

Clinical safety and feasibility of a novel implantable neuroimmune modulation device for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: initial results from the randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled RESET-RA study

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes persistent synovitis, bone damage, and progressive joint destruction. Neuroimmune modulation through electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve activates the inflammatory reflex and has been shown to inhibit the production and release of inflammatory cytokines and decrease clinical signs and symptoms in RA. The RESET-RA study was designed to determine the safety and efficacy of an active implantable device for treating RA.

METHODS

The RESET-RA study is a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, multi-center, two-stage pivotal trial that enrolled patients with moderate-to-severe RA who were incomplete responders or intolerant to at least one biologic or targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug. A neuroimmune modulation device (SetPoint Medical, Valencia, CA) was implanted on the left cervical vagus nerve within the carotid sheath in all patients. Following post-surgical clearance, patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to active stimulation or non-active (control) stimulation for 1 min once per day. A predefined blinded interim analysis was performed in patients enrolled in the study's initial stage (Stage 1) that included demographics, enrollment rates, device implantation rates, and safety of the surgical procedure, device, and stimulation over 12 weeks of treatment.

RESULTS

Sixty patients were implanted during Stage 1 of the study. All device implant procedures were completed without intraoperative complications, infections, or surgical revisions. No unanticipated adverse events were reported during the perioperative period and at the end of 12 weeks of follow-up. No study discontinuations were due to adverse events, and no serious adverse events were related to the device or stimulation. Two serious adverse events were related to the implantation procedure: vocal cord paresis and prolonged hoarseness. These were reported in two patients and are known complications of surgical implantation procedures with vagus nerve stimulation devices. The adverse event of vocal cord paresis resolved after vocal cord augmentation injections with filler and speech therapy. The prolonged hoarseness had improved with speech therapy, but mild hoarseness persists.

CONCLUSIONS

The surgical procedures for implantation of the novel neuroimmune modulation device for the treatment of RA were safe, and the device and its use were well tolerated.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT04539964; August 31, 2020.

Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug Use and Its Effect on Long-term Opioid Use in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of chronic pain is high in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), increasing the risk for opioid use. The objective of this study was to assess disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) use and its effect on long-term opioid use in patients with RA.

METHODS

This cohort study included Medicare beneficiaries with diagnosis of RA who received at least 30-day consecutive prescription of opioids in 2017 (n = 23,608). The patients were grouped into non-DMARD and DMARD users, who were further subdivided into regimens set forth by the American College of Rheumatology. The outcome measured was long-term opioid use in 2018 defined as at least 90-day consecutive prescription of opioids. Dose and duration of opioid use were also assessed. A multivariable model identifying factors associated with non-DMARD use was also performed.

RESULTS

Compared with non-DMARD users, the odds of long-term opioid use were significantly lower among DMARD users (odds ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.83-0.95). All regimens except non-tumor necrosis factor biologic + methotrexate were associated with lower odds of long-term opioid use relative to non-DMARD users. The mean total morphine milligram equivalent, morphine milligram equivalent per day, and total days of opioid use were lower among DMARD users compared with non-DMARD users. Older age, male sex, Black race, psychiatric and medical comorbidities, and not being seen by a rheumatologist were significantly associated with non-DMARD use.

CONCLUSION

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use was associated with lower odds of long-term opioid use among RA patients with baseline opioid prescription. Factors associated with non-DMARD use represent a window of opportunity for intervention to improve pain-related quality of life in patients living with RA.

The Underlying Mechanism of Duanteng Yimu Decoction in Inhibiting Synovial Hyperplasia in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our previous studies confirmed that Duanteng Yimu decoction (DTYMT) effectively inhibits RA fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) proliferation. In this study, we investigated the influence of DTYMT on miR-221 in RA individuals. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to assess histopathological alterations in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice. The expression of miR-221-3p and TLR4 in PBMC, FLS, and cartilage was measured by RT-qPCR. In the in vitro experiments, DTYMT-containing serum was incubated with FLS-transfected miR-221 mimic or inhibitor. CCK-8 was performed to determine FLS proliferation, and the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α was quantified by ELISA assay. In addition, the regulation of miR-221 expression on FLS apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry. Finally, western blot was employed to reflect TLR4/MyD88 protein levels. HE results showed that DTYMT effectively reduced synovial hyperplasia in the joints of CIA mice. RT-qPCR assay of FLS and cartilage of the model group showed that miR-221-3p and TLR4 significantly increased compared with those in the normal group. All outcomes were improved by DTYMT. The miR-221 mimic reversed the inhibitory effect of DTYMT-containing serum on FLS proliferation, the release of IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6, and TNF-α, and FLS apoptosis, as well as TLR4/MyD88 protein levels. The results showed that miR-221 promotes the activity of RA-FLS by activating TLR4/MyD88 signaling, and DTYMT treats RA by reducing miR-221 in CIA mice.

Association between ambient fine particulate matter and adult outpatient visits for rheumatoid arthritis in Beijing, China

The association between fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is currently unclear, especially in Beijing, a city with severe air pollution. Our study aimed to explore the relationship between short-term outdoor exposure to PM_2.5 and RA outpatient visits using a time-series analysis in Beijing. We used the Beijing's Medical Claims for Employees database to identify patients with RA in 2010-2012. A generalized additive model with a Poisson link was used to estimate the percentage change in RA outpatient visits after the PM_2.5 concentration increased by 10 μg/m³. From January 1, 2010, to June 30, 2012, a total of 541,061 RA outpatient visits were identified. During the study period, the average daily (standard deviation) concentration of PM_2.5 was 99.5 (75.3) µg/m³. A 10 µg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 concentration was correlated with a 0.21% (95% CI, 0.18-0.23%) increase in outpatient visits for RA on the same day. A significant association for the cumulative effect of PM_2.5 was found, and the largest significant association was observed for a lag of 0-3 days (0.26%; 95% CI, 0.23-0.29%). Stratified analyses revealed that females (0.29%, 95% CI: 0.26-0.33%) and 18-65 years old patients (0.29%, 95% CI: 0.25-0.32%) were most susceptible to the effects of PM_2.5 exposure. The current findings showed that short-term exposure to PM_2.5 was followed by an increase in the number of outpatient visits for RA in Beijing. Future studies should investigate the mechanisms underlying this association.

Latest models for the discovery and development of rheumatoid arthritis drugs

INTRODUCTION

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that reduces the quality of life. The current speed of development of therapeutic agents against RA is not satisfactory. Models on which initial experiments are conducted do not fully reflect human pathogenesis. Overcoming this oversimplification might be a crucial step to accelerate studies on RA treatment.

AREAS COVERED

The current approaches to produce novel models or to improve currently available models for the development of RA drugs have been discussed. Advantages and drawbacks of two- and three-dimensional cell cultures and animal models have been described based on recently published results of the studies. Moreover, approaches such as tissue engineering or organ-on-a-chip have been reviewed.

EXPERT OPINION

The cell cultures and animal models used to date appear to be of limited value due to the complexity of the processes involved in RA. Current models in RA research should take into account the heterogeneity of patients in terms of disease subtypes, course, and activity. Several advanced models and tools using human cells and tissues have been developed, including three-dimensional tissues, liquid bioreactors, and more complex joint-on-a-chip devices. This may increase knowledge of the molecular mechanisms leading to disease development, to help identify new biomarkers for early detection, and to develop preventive strategies and more effective treatments.

Big data analyses and individual health profiling in the arena of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs)

Health care processes are under constant development and will need to embrace advances in technology and health science aiming to provide optimal care. Considering the perspective of increasing treatment options for people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, but in many cases not reaching all treatment targets that matter to patients, care systems bare potential to improve on a holistic level. This review provides an overview of systems and technologies under evaluation over the past years that show potential to impact diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases in about 10 years from now. We summarize initiatives and studies from the field of electronic health records, biobanking, remote monitoring, and artificial intelligence. The combination and implementation of these opportunities in daily clinical care will be key for a new era in care of our patients. This aims to inform rheumatologists and healthcare providers concerned with chronic inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions about current important and promising developments in science that might substantially impact the management processes of rheumatic diseases in the 2030s.

Economic Benefit from Improvements in Quality of Life with Upadacitinib: Comparisons with Tofacitinib and Methotrexate in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Introduction

To compare the economic benefit of upadacitinib combination therapy versus tofacitinib combination therapy and upadacitinib monotherapy versus methotrexate monotherapy from improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Data were analyzed from two trials of upadacitinib (SELECT-NEXT and SELECT-MONOTHERAPY) and one trial of tofacitinib (ORAL-Standard) that collected HRQOL measurements using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey in patients with RA. Direct medical costs per patient per month (PPPM) for patients receiving upadacitinib 15 mg once daily and methotrexate were derived from observed SF-36 Physical (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores in the SELECT trials using a regression algorithm. Direct medical costs PPPM for patients receiving tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily were obtained from a published analysis of SF-36 PCS and MCS scores observed in the ORAL-Standard trial. Short-term (12–14 weeks) and long-term (48 weeks) estimates of direct medical costs PPPM were compared between upadacitinib and tofacitinib and between upadacitinib and methotrexate.

Results

Over 12 weeks, direct medical costs PPPM were $252 lower (95% CI $72, $446) for upadacitinib-treated patients versus tofacitinib-treated patients. Medical costs PPPM at weeks 24 and 48 and cumulative costs over the entire 48-week period (difference $1759; 95% CI $1162, $2449) were significantly lower for upadacitinib than for tofacitinib. Over 14 weeks, direct medical costs PPPM were $399 lower (95% CI $158, $620) for patients treated with upadacitinib monotherapy compared with those treated with methotrexate alone. Direct medical costs at week 48 and cumulative costs over the entire 48-week period (difference $2044; 95% CI $1221, $2846) were significantly lower for upadacitinib monotherapy compared with methotrexate alone.

Conclusion

In the short and long term, upadacitinib combination therapy versus tofacitinib combination therapy and upadacitinib monotherapy versus methotrexate monotherapy were associated with significantly lower direct medical costs for patients with RA.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02675426, NCT02706951, and NCT00853385.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-021-01930-4.

Real-World Treatment Patterns and Outcomes from an Electronic Medical Records Database for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Repository Corticotropin Injection

PURPOSE

Repository corticotropin injection (RCI; Acthar® Gel) is a naturally sourced mixture of adrenocorticotropic hormone analogs and other pituitary peptides that exerts anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties via melanocortin receptors. RCI is approved as a short-term adjunctive therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is typically used in patients with refractory RA. The objective of this study was to describe real-world outcomes of RA patients treated with RCI by retrospective analysis of an electronic medical records (EMR) database.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

EMR data were obtained from the United Rheumatology-Normal Integrated Community Evidence (UR-NICETM) data repository for patients who used RCI for the treatment of RA. Demographics, comorbidities, disease history, medications, and laboratory evaluations 365 days prior to and 365 days after initiation of RCI were examined.

RESULTS

The patient cohort was predominantly White females with a mean age of 60 years and high RA activity prior to RCI therapy. Clinical measures of disease severity indicated that patients had high RA activity before starting RCI therapy. Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) scores were significantly reduced 365 days post-initiation of RCI. Swollen and tender joint counts and patient-reported outcomes, including Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3), Physician Global Assessment, and patient assessment of pain severity were also significantly lower. The number of patients taking conventional synthetic (cs) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), biologic (b) DMARDs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), and opioids decreased, as did the number of drugs tried within each class for csDMARDs, bDMARDs, NSAIDs, and glucocorticoids.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that RCI significantly improves clinical outcomes of RA and decreases the need for concomitant medications for up to 1 year following initiation of therapy. The study provides valuable insights into the use of RCI and management of these difficult-to-treat RA patients during routine clinical practice.

Methodological aspects of design, analysis and reporting of studies with work participation as an outcome domain in patients with inflammatory arthritis: results of two systematic literature reviews informing EULAR points to consider

Objective

To summarise the methodological aspects in studies with work participation (WP) as outcome domain in inflammatory arthritis (IA) and other chronic diseases.

Methods

Two systematic literature reviews (SLRs) were conducted in key electronic databases (2014–2019): search 1 focused on longitudinal prospective studies in IA and search 2 on SLRs in other chronic diseases. Two reviewers independently identified eligible studies and extracted data covering pre-defined methodological areas.

Results

In total, 58 studies in IA (22 randomised controlled trials, 36 longitudinal observational studies) and 24 SLRs in other chronic diseases were included. WP was the primary outcome in 26/58 (45%) studies. The methodological aspects least accounted for in IA studies were as follows (proportions of studies positively adhering to the topic are shown): aligning the studied population (16/58 (28%)) and sample size calculation (8/58 (14%)) with the work-related study objective; attribution of WP to overall health (28/58 (48%)); accounting for skewness of presenteeism/sick leave (10/52 (19%)); accounting for work-related contextual factors (25/58 (43%)); reporting attrition and its reasons (1/58 (2%)); reporting both aggregated results and proportions of individuals reaching predefined meaningful change or state (11/58 (16%)). SLRs in other chronic diseases confirmed heterogeneity and methodological flaws identified in IA studies without identifying new issues.

Conclusion

High methodological heterogeneity was observed in studies with WP as outcome domain. Consensus around various methodological aspects specific to WP studies is needed to improve quality of future studies. This review informs the EULAR Points to Consider for conducting and reporting studies with WP as an outcome in IA.

Prevalence of primary immune thrombocytopenia and related healthcare resource utilization among Texas Medicaid beneficiaries

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and describe ITP-associated healthcare resource utilization (HRU) among Texas Medicaid beneficiaries.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis using 2012-2015 Texas Medicaid claims data was conducted to estimate the annual prevalence of ITP. HRU was summarized for the 12-month period following initial ITP diagnosis. Logistic regression and generalized linear model were used to investigate predictors for all-cause and ITP-related HRU.

RESULTS

The average annual prevalence of ITP was 17.0 per 100,000 persons; higher among females vs males (17.4 vs 13.6 per 100,000) and highest among adults aged ≥ 65 years (36.7 per 100,000). Among 325 patients included in the HRU analyses, 49.2% received ITP therapies. More than half of patients had at least one all-cause emergency department (ED) visit (70.5%) and/or hospitalization (56.0%). One-third (32.6%) experienced at least one ITP-related ED visit and 40.3% had at least one ITP-related hospitalization. Compared to adults aged 18-49 with ITP, children aged 0-4 (odds ratio [OR] = 3.65, p = .0008) and aged 5-17 (OR = 2.68, p = .0074) were more likely to have an ITP-related hospitalization; children aged 0-4 (OR = 4.36, p = .0005) and children aged 5-17 (OR = 4.09, p = .0005) were more likely to have an ITP-related ED visit during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

There are 17 patients diagnosed with ITP for every 100,000 Texas Medicaid enrollees annually, with higher prevalence in females and the elderly. Children are more likely to experience hospitalizations and ED visits associated with ITP. ITP patients in Texas Medicaid utilize more healthcare resources compared to the general Medicaid population.

Intensive therapy for moderate established rheumatoid arthritis: the TITRATE research programme

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis is a major inflammatory disorder and causes substantial disability. Treatment goals span minimising disease activity, achieving remission and decreasing disability. In active rheumatoid arthritis, intensive management achieves these goals. As many patients with established rheumatoid arthritis have moderate disease activity, the TITRATE (Treatment Intensities and Targets in Rheumatoid Arthritis ThErapy) programme assessed the benefits of intensive management.

Objectives

To (1) define how to deliver intensive therapy in moderate established rheumatoid arthritis; (2) establish its clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in a trial; and (3) evaluate evidence supporting intensive management in observational studies and completed trials.

Design

Observational studies, secondary analyses of completed trials and systematic reviews assessed existing evidence about intensive management. Qualitative research, patient workshops and systematic reviews defined how to deliver it. The trial assessed its clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness in moderate established rheumatoid arthritis.

Setting

Observational studies (in three London centres) involved 3167 patients. These were supplemented by secondary analyses of three previously completed trials (in centres across all English regions), involving 668 patients. Qualitative studies assessed expectations (nine patients in four London centres) and experiences of intensive management (15 patients in 10 centres across England). The main clinical trial enrolled 335 patients with diverse socioeconomic deprivation and ethnicity (in 39 centres across all English regions).

Participants

Patients with established moderately active rheumatoid arthritis receiving conventional disease-modifying drugs.

Interventions

Intensive management used combinations of conventional disease-modifying drugs, biologics (particularly tumour necrosis factor inhibitors) and depot steroid injections; nurses saw patients monthly, adjusted treatment and provided supportive person-centred psychoeducation. Control patients received standard care.

Main outcome measures

Disease Activity Score for 28 joints based on the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR)-categorised patients (active to remission). Remission (DAS28-ESR < 2.60) was the treatment target. Other outcomes included fatigue (measured on a 100-mm visual analogue scale), disability (as measured on the Health Assessment Questionnaire), harms and resource use for economic assessments.

Results

Evaluation of existing evidence for intensive rheumatoid arthritis management showed the following. First, in observational studies, DAS28-ESR scores decreased over 10–20 years, whereas remissions and treatment intensities increased. Second, in systematic reviews of published trials, all intensive management strategies increased remissions. Finally, patients with high disability scores had fewer remissions. Qualitative studies of rheumatoid arthritis patients, workshops and systematic reviews helped develop an intensive management pathway. A 2-day training session for rheumatology practitioners explained its use, including motivational interviewing techniques and patient handbooks. The trial screened 459 patients and randomised 335 patients (168 patients received intensive management and 167 patients received standard care). A total of 303 patients provided 12-month outcome data. Intention-to-treat analysis showed intensive management increased DAS28-ESR 12-month remissions, compared with standard care (32% vs. 18%, odds ratio 2.17, 95% confidence interval 1.28 to 3.68; p = 0.004), and reduced fatigue [mean difference –18, 95% confidence interval –24 to –11 (scale 0–100); p < 0.001]. Disability (as measured on the Health Assessment Questionnaire) decreased when intensive management patients achieved remission (difference –0.40, 95% confidence interval –0.57 to –0.22) and these differences were considered clinically relevant. However, in all intensive management patients reductions in the Health Assessment Questionnaire scores were less marked (difference –0.1, 95% confidence interval –0.2 to 0.0). The numbers of serious adverse events (intensive management n = 15 vs. standard care n = 11) and other adverse events (intensive management n = 114 vs. standard care n = 151) were similar. Economic analysis showed that the base-case incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was £43,972 from NHS and Personal Social Services cost perspectives. The probability of meeting a willingness-to-pay threshold of £30,000 was 17%. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio decreased to £29,363 after including patients’ personal costs and lost working time, corresponding to a 50% probability that intensive management is cost-effective at English willingness-to-pay thresholds. Analysing trial baseline predictors showed that remission predictors comprised baseline DAS28-ESR, disability scores and body mass index. A 6-month extension study (involving 95 intensive management patients) showed fewer remissions by 18 months, although more sustained remissions were more likley to persist. Qualitative research in trial completers showed that intensive management was acceptable and treatment support from specialist nurses was beneficial.

Limitations

The main limitations comprised (1) using single time point remissions rather than sustained responses, (2) uncertainty about benefits of different aspects of intensive management and differences in its delivery across centres, (3) doubts about optimal treatment of patients unresponsive to intensive management and (4) the lack of formal international definitions of ‘intensive management’.

Conclusion

The benefits of intensive management need to be set against its additional costs. These were relatively high. Not all patients benefited. Patients with high pretreatment physical disability or who were substantially overweight usually did not achieve remission.

Future work

Further research should (1) identify the most effective components of the intervention, (2) consider its most cost-effective delivery and (3) identify alternative strategies for patients not responding to intensive management.

Trial registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN70160382.

Funding

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programme Grants for Applied Research programme and will be published in full in Programme Grants for Applied Research; Vol. 9, No. 8. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.

Cost-utility analysis of treatment options after initial tumor necrosis factor inhibitor therapy discontinuation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

BACKGROUND: For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who discontinued initial treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi), 2 approaches are commonly used: cycling to another TNFi or switching to a drug with another mechanism of action. Currently, there is no consensus on which approach to use first. A report from the IBM MarketScan Research administrative claims database showed adalimumab (cycling strategy) and abatacept (switching strategy) were more commonly prescribed after the first TNFi discontinuation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-utility of adalimumab versus abatacept in patients with RA whose initial TNFi therapy failed. METHODS: A probabilistic cost-utility microsimulation state-transition model was used. Our target population was commercially insured adults with RA, the time horizon was 10 years, and we used a payer perspective. Patients not responding to adalimumab or abatacept were moved to the next drug in a sequence of 3 and, finally, to conventional synthetic therapy. Incremental cost-utility ratios (2016 USD per quality-adjusted-life-year gained [QALY)] were calculated. Utilities were derived from a formula based on the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index and age-adjusted comorbidity score. RESULTS: Switching to abatacept after the first TNFi showed an incremental cost of just more than $11,300 over 10 years and achieved a QALY benefit of 0.16 compared with adalimumab. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $68,950 per QALY. Scenario analysis produced an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio range of $44,573 per QALY to $148,558 per QALY. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that switching to abatacept after TNFi therapy failure had an 80.6% likelihood of being cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000 per QALY. CONCLUSIONS: Switching to abatacept is a cost-effective strategy for patients with RA whose discontinue initial therapy with TNFi. DISCLOSURES: Funding for this project was provided by a Rheumatology Research Foundation Investigator Award (principal investigator: Maria A. Lopez-Olivo). Karpes Matusevich's work was supported by a Doctoral Dissertation Research Award from the University of Texas, School of Public Health Office of Research. Lal reports competing interests outside of the submitted work (employed by Optum). Suarez-Almazor reports competing interests outside of the submitted work (consulting fees from Pfizer, AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Agile Therapeutics, Amag Pharmaceuticals, and Gilead). Chan, Swint, and Cantor have nothing to disclose.

Effectiveness and Costs Among Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Treated with Targeted Immunomodulators Using Real-World U.S. Data

BACKGROUND

Targeted immunomodulators (TIMs) are used for the treatment of moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and include biologic and nonbiologic medications with different mechanisms of action. Data describing disease activity levels in RA are not directly available in claims databases but can be determined using a claims-based effectiveness algorithm. Rheumatology has benefited from the recent introduction of new drugs, many with new mechanisms of action. We provide an analysis of this broader range of medications.

OBJECTIVES

To (a) describe and summarize the effectiveness of available TIMs for the treatment of moderate to severe RA and (b) determine the RA-related health care costs per effectively treated patient, using recent data.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis using data from the IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database from July 1, 2012, through December 31, 2016. Index date was the new prescription claim for a TIM (abatacept, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, golimumab, infliximab, tocilizumab, or tofacitinib). A 6-month pre-index baseline period was used to determine demographic and clinical characteristics. Patients without a TIM claim during the baseline period were considered naive; patients with a TIM claim in the baseline period that was different than the index TIM were assessed as receiving second-line therapy. A claims-based algorithm was used to assess 12-month treatment effectiveness and total RA-related costs. Costs included RA-related pharmacy costs and medical costs.

RESULTS

Data from 14,775 patients were analyzed, including patients prescribed abatacept (n = 1,250), adalimumab (n = 4,986), certolizumab pegol (n = 387), etanercept (n = 5,266), golimumab (n = 577), infliximab (n = 969), tocilizumab (n = 451), and tofacitinib (n = 889). Of these, 705 were receiving second-line therapy. TIM effectiveness by first-line and second-line therapy, respectively, were abatacept 27.1%, 18.1%; adalimumab 30.9%, 22.1%; certolizumab pegol 20.9%, 14.3%; etanercept 31.4%, 31.5%; golimumab 32.7%, 22.2%; infliximab 21.9%, 21.3%; tocilizumab 30.9%, 30.6%; and tofacitinib 26.0%, 21.6%. The main reason for failing effectiveness was not achieving an 80% medication possession ratio or being nonadherent. The 1-year total RA-related cost per effectively treated patient for first-line and second-line therapies, respectively, were abatacept $121,835, $174,090; adalimumab $112,708, $154,540; certolizumab pegol $149,946, $236,743; etanercept $102,058, $94,821; golimumab $108,802, $140,651; infliximab $155,123, $185,369; tocilizumab $93,333, $109,351; and tofacitinib $100,306, $130,501.

CONCLUSIONS

The effectiveness of TIMs from this real-world experience showed that the range of patients who were effectively treated with first-line therapy was higher for certain tumor necrosis factor inhibitors and tocilizumab. The percentages of effectively treated patients were generally lower in second-line treatment compared with first-line except for etanercept, which had the same percentage between lines of therapy. Etanercept had the lowest RA-related cost per effectively treated patient among tumor necrosis factor inhibitors in first-line use and the lowest RA-related cost per effectively treated patient compared with all second-line treatments.

DISCLOSURES

This study was sponsored by Amgen. Amgen employees contributed to study design, analysis of the data, and the decision to publish the results. Maksabedian Hernandez and Stolshek are employees and shareholders of Amgen; Gharaibeh was employed by Amgen at the time of this study. Bonafede was employed by IBM Watson Health, at the time of this study, and McMorrow is employed by IBM Watson Health, which received funding from Amgen to conduct this study. Data from this study were presented at AMCP Nexus, October 22-25, 2018, in Orlando, FL.