Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in the USA: premature use of tumor necrosis
factor inhibition and underutilization of concomitant methotrexate
#MMPMID30013407
O'Dell JR
; Cohen SB
; Thorne JC
; Kremer J
Open Access Rheumatol
2018[]; 10
(?): 97-101
PMID30013407
show ga
PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess the treatment for patients
with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the USA. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study
entailed analysis of claims data for patients with RA who initiated treatment
with oral methotrexate (MTX) or a biologic in 2009 (n=48,910) or 2012 (n=107,636)
and had follow-up for 4 years (2009 cohort) or 2 years (2012 cohort). RESULTS: A
biologic was initiated before MTX for 27% of the 2009 cohort and 36% of the 2012
cohort. Concomitant use of MTX and a biologic declined from 74.1% (2009 cohort)
to 45.4% (2012 cohort). CONCLUSION: MTX is underused in the treatment of RA in
the USA.