Bradley S. Stolshek, PharmD

We present results of an analysis of IBM MarketScan databases that evaluates treatment patterns and health care costs for treatment-naïve patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who switched biologics incurred higher costs than patients who persisted on biologics. Etanercept appeared to be associated with the lowest costs.

Adherence to newly initiated biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis is important for long-term adherence.

Only slightly more than half of patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis initiated therapy within 1 year.