Velthuis K, Poppelaars F, Ten Klooster PM, Vonkeman HE, Jessurun NT. Impact of adverse drug reactions on the treatment pathways of early rheumatoid arthritis patients: a prospective observational cohort study.
Expert Opin Drug Saf 2023;
22:753-762. [PMID:
36946179 DOI:
10.1080/14740338.2023.2194628]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Several patient characteristics may be of influence on treatment pathways of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to analyze treatment pathways of early RA patients stratified for gender and adverse drug reaction (ADR) occurrence.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Treatment pathways of patients included in the DREAM-RA treat-to-target cohort I between 16th of July 2006-30th of April 2020 were assessed. Treatment pathways were visualized in Sankey diagrams. Follow-up time, duration per treatment and the number of treatments received were stratified for gender and ADR occurrence and analyzed. Independent t-tests and chi-square tests were performed where applicable.
RESULTS
Treatment pathways of 372 patients (follow-up: 2488.4 years, mean 6.7 ± 3.7 years) were analyzed. The Sankey diagrams visualize that treatment pathways became increasingly varied and complex over time. No significant differences were found when comparing female patients and male patients. However, the average treatment duration was shorter in patients with ADRs (1.8 vs. 2.7 years, p < 0.05), and the number of treatments higher (3.5 vs. 2.5, p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Treatment pathways increase in complexity over time. Differences were found between patients with and without ADRs, with patients that experience ADRs receiving more and shorter treatments.
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