Drug Usage Analysis and Medication Expenses in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Biological Therapy in Colombia

Abstract

Objectives: Biological therapy is a tool to prevent clinical and radiological progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The purpose of this study was to assess the usage of biologic agents in terms of reduction of the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) and medication expenses associated in patients with moderate-severe RA during a 24 month period. MethOds: We conducted a realworld, retrospective, cross-sectional study, based on information from a specialized in RA center in Colombia. Subjects with moderate-severe disease activity received biologic therapy, and were followed-up and treated according to DAS28; therapy had to be adjusted with DAS28 > 3.2 unless the patient's conditions did not allow it. Descriptive epidemiology was done and the overall drug costs were assessed. Results: 303 patients were included, mean age 58.5 ± 9.4, 251 (82%) female and 52 (18%) male. After 24 months of observation 154 patients (50%) obtained remission/low disease activity status with a mean DAS28 of 2.6 ± 1; 16% of patients received Infliximab,

Availability of secondary healthcare data for conducting pharmacoepidemiology studies in Colombia: A systematic review

“…Until December 2018, 323 publications reported using secondary data sources to conduct epidemiology studies in Colombia …”