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Factors other than biologics increase costs of early spondyloarthritis
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Increased costs related to early spondyloarthritis are due to not only biologics, but also factors such as age, peripheral arthritis and independent disease activity, study investigators found.
Researchers used self-reported clinical data from the Epidemiological Study on the Insulin Resistance Syndrome (DESIR) and French public data on 708 patients aged 18 to 50 years with early spondyloarthritis to determine the costs of health resource utilization and product losses in 2013 euros. Investigators used generalized linear models with generalized estimating equation algorithms to identify factors associated with costs, including and excluding biological drugs. Baseline values and mean values of Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) also were examined alone and in linear models for collinearity.
At 1-year, results showed that the mean annual cost was 5,004 euros, which decreased to 4,961 euros at 3 years. At 3 years, patients who did not receive a biologic had mean total costs of 4,789 euros vs. 38,206 euros for patients who received biologics.
Researchers found factors that correlated with an increase in total costs included peripheral arthritis, time on biologics and average BASFI score. Factors correlated with increased costs that excluded biologics were baseline age, peripheral arthritis, time on biologics and average BASDAI score. – by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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