To identify differences in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) care costs and utilization among patients receiving therapy with leflunomide (LEF) or etanercept (ETA).
A retrospective cohort analysis of patients diagnosed with RA and starting treatment with LEF or ETA.
Patients diagnosed with RA and receiving newly prescribed LEF or ETA in 1998 were identified from a database containing patient-level medical and pharmaceutical claims. Patients were subsequently observed for 6 months. RA-related treatment charges during the observation period were compared between cohorts.
A total of 527 LEF- and 281 ETA-treated patients were identified. The 2 cohorts were comparable with respect to demographics, comorbid conditions, and concomitant medication use, although LEF recipients were, on average, older than ETA recipients (mean age 52.97 versus 48.43 years; P < .0001). ETA recipients had higher mean 6-month postdiagnosis charges than LEF recipients ($7722.01 +/- $5285.20 versus $3301.84 +/- $4054.75; P < .0001). This difference was primarily related to differences in RA-related pharmacy charges ($5877.78 +/- $2237.68 versus $1877.23 +/- $1258.05; P < .0001).
Compared with charges in the ETA group, RA care costs in the LEF group were significantly lower during the 6 months after the initiation of therapy. The difference in mean total RA-related charges was attributable mainly to the difference in RA-related pharmacy charges.