Socioeconomic impact of treatment with biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives We evaluate the socioeconomic impact of treatment with biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods We analysed data retrospectively from the prospective observational CorEvitas RA Japan Registry (March 2016-February 2020). Patients were categorised into paid workers (PWs) and home workers (HWs) and further based on drug classes. We assessed medication persistence, treatment outcomes, health care resource utilisation, and socioeconomic impact over 12 months, including direct (drugs and health care resource utilisation) and indirect (loss of productivity) costs. Results Overall, 187 PWs and 114 HWs were identified. Over 12 months, medication persistence was high, treatment outcomes improved, and outpatient visits reduced in both groups. Following treatment initiation, direct costs increased, whereas indirect (loss of productivity) costs decreased in both groups. The unadjusted socioeconomic impact [Japanese yen (JPY)] increased across all drug classes in PWs (range: 29,700-151,700) and HWs (range: -28,700 to 83,000). Adjusted change in monthly socioeconomic impact was JPY 29,700-138,900 for PWs and JPY -28,000 to 92,800 for HWs. Conclusions In this study of Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the socioeconomic burden increased across patient groups and drug classes. The decrease in indirect (loss of productivity) costs partially offset the increase in direct costs.