We evaluated the effects of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents on health economics in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients.
QUality of Life as Outcomes and its VAriation with DIsease States (QUO-VADIS) was a prospective observational study following bio-naïve AS patients (modified New York criteria) newly treated with golimumab (GLM) or infliximab (IFX; originator) in a clinical practice setting over 6 months. We evaluated use of concomitant medications, hospitalizations (in-patient care or acute care) and visits in day care and out-patient settings for the assessment of healthcare resource utilization (HCRU). Work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) was assessed by the number of work days missed and quantifying absenteeism, presenteeism, work impairment, and activity using the WPAI instrument adapted to spondyloarthritis (WPAI-SpA).
Nine hundred and sixty-three patients received ≥1 dose of medication (78%, n = 751 GLM; 22%, n = 221 IFX). Mean age was 42.7 years; 61.4% were male. At baseline, the percentage of patients who reported hospitalizations (in-patient care) was 13.6%, which decreased to 3.1% at 6 months, while out-patient care at baseline was reported by 39.4% of patients, which decreased to 19.0% at 6 months. The percentage of patients receiving acute emergency at baseline reduced from 1.6% to 0.3% at 6 months. The mean (SD) number of days of work missed due to AS, was reduced from 6.3 (31.1) days at baseline to 2.7 (12.3) days at 6 months.
In patients with AS newly treated with GLM or IFX for 6 months, HCRU was reduced and work productivity and activity increased.