Study: Subcutaneous adalimumab, etanercept most likely to be used as first-line biologic for RA

WASHINGTON — Researchers assessed biologic utilization patterns among patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with subcutaneous certolizumab, golimumab, etanercept or adalimumab and found the latter two medications were most likely to be used as first-line treatment, according to an abstract presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting.

Joseph Tkacz, MS, staff scientist at Health Analytics in Maryland, and colleagues identified earliest incident cycles of treatment with adalimumab (ADA), certolizumab (CER), etanercept (ETA) and golimumab (GLM) through research databases for adults diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis between 2009 and 2013. To be included in the study, patients had at least two index biologic fills and continuous eligibility for at least 6 months prior to the initiation of the biologic. Researchers assessed biologic placement, treatment gaps, dose escalation and medication adherence. They defined adherent members as those with 80% of treatment days covered by index medication.

Researchers found monthly dosages were in line with recommended guidelines. GLM and CER were less likely to be prescribed as a first-line biologic compared with ADA and ETA, although GLM led to more adherence. ADA and GLM had the greatest refill consistency, and ADA was most likely to lead to dose escalation. In addition, almost two-thirds of all medications persisted for at least 6 months, with the greatest proportion in the ETA group. – by Will Offit

Reference:

Tkacz J, et al. Abstract #2244. Presented at: American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting; Nov. 11-16, 2016; Washington.

Disclosure: Tkacz reports funds from Janssen.