Estimation of direct cost of managing rheumatoid arthritis treatment to Pakistani patients using real‐world follow‐up data

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to estimate annual direct cost attributed to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment from a patient's perspective using real‐world patient follow‐up data from hospitals’ electronic database. Methods A prospective 1‐year study was conducted in rheumatology clinics of tertiary care hospitals of Karachi, Pakistan. Cost‐of‐illness methodology was used and all patient data related to costs of rheumatologist visits, physical therapy sessions, medications, assistive devices and laboratory investigations were obtained directly in printed hardcopies from patient electronic databases using their medical record numbers. Transportation cost was calculated from patient‐reported log books. Data were analyzed through IBM SPSS version 23. Patients were asked to sign a written consent and the study was ethically approved. Results The mean age of patients (N = 358) was 48 years. Most patients (73.7%) were female, married (86%) and had basic education (71.8%). Average cost of rheumatologist visits was PKR 11 510.61 (USD: 72.05) while it was PKR 66 947.37 (USD: 419.07) for physical therapy sessions. On average, medicines and medical devices costs were estimated at PKR 10 104.23 (USD: 63.25) and PKR 7848.48 (USD: 49.13) respectively. Cost attributed to diagnostic and laboratory charges was PKR 1962.12 (USD: 12.28) and travel expense was PKR 6541 (USD: 40.95). The direct expenditure associated with managing RA was PKR 37 558 (USD: 235.1). All costs were reported per annum. Conclusion Patient with RA in Pakistan pay a considerable amount of their income for managing their condition. Most patients have no provision for insurance which is a need considering the nature of the disease and associated productivity loss that would significantly lower income as the disease progresses.

Economic Burden of Rheumatoid Arthritis In Iran: A Societal Perspective Economic Burden of R.A.

“…Finally, the direct costs of RA management were $ 235.1. The results showed that physiotherapy accounted for the highest percentage of costs, and drugs accounted for 7.1% of the costs, and this is inconsistent with the results of the present study [35]. Catay et al (2012) conducted a study on 165 patients in Argentina and found that the mean DMC and DNMC costs were $ 1,862 and $ 222, respectively.…”

Validation of the General Medication Adherence Scale in Pakistani Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…It progressively deteriorates the joints and causes joint deformity that reduces mobility. The disease is ranked as one of the leading causes of disability and is linked to productivity losses and economic burden (Guo et al, 2018;Naqvi et al, 2020). Globally, the disease prevalence ranges from 0.5 to 1% with slight variation region-wise.…”

“…In worst case, it may contribute to productivity loss, early retirement, economic burden, etc. (Naqvi et al, 2017;Naqvi et al, 2020). Hence, monitoring of patients' adherence is important to select appropriate clinical course and ensure positive treatment outcomes, i.e., lower disease activity and higher HRQoL (Salt et al, 2012;Naqvi et al, 2019d).…”