Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34373933›Full record

ArticleClinical rheumatology2022

Sequences of biological treatments for patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis in the era of treat-to-target in China: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Chongqing Tan, Xia Luo, Sini Li, Lidan Yi, Xiaohui Zeng, Liubao Peng, Shuxia Qin, Liting Wang, Xiaomin Wan

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Clinical rheumatology, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
0.7field-weighted citation impact, top 29% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 5 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Chongqing TanDepartment of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Rd, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
Xia LuoDepartment of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Rd, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
Sini LiThe Xiangya Nursing School, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
Lidan YiDepartment of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Rd, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
Xiaohui ZengPET Imaging Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
Liubao PengDepartment of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Rd, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
Shuxia QinDepartment of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Rd, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
Liting WangDepartment of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Rd, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
Xiaomin WanDepartment of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Renmin Rd, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China. wanxiaomin@csu.edu.cn.
Central South University · CNSecond Xiangya Hospital of Central South University · CN

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China 71874209Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province 2019JJ40411
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) are recommended to be added in sequentially in the treatment of moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA). All these drugs, however, are substantially more expensive than conventional synthetic DMARDs throughout the world, including in China. The objective of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of treatment sequences of bDMARDs for patients with moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis from the Chinese healthcare system perspective.

methodsAn individual patient simulation model was used to track the course of patients from first treatment through switches to further lines in a sequence. The comparator treatment sequence commenced with methotrexate, followed by non-biologic therapy. The intervention sequences were assumed to be the combinations of bDMARDs available, followed by non-biologic therapy. Life-years, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), and lifetime costs were estimated. Univariable and probabilistic sensitivity analyses and scenario analyses were performed to evaluate the model uncertainty.

resultsCompared with the comparator treatment sequence, bDMARDs sequences were associated with more life years, QALYs, and cost. These produced ICERs ranged from $27,441.36/QALY to $40,149.2/QALY, above the willingness-to-pay threshold of $10,378 per QALY. The uncertainty analyses and the scenario analyses confirmed the result of the base case analysis.

conclusionsFrom the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system, bDMARDs sequences are estimated not to be cost-effective compared with conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug strategy for patients with moderate-to-severe RA at a WTP threshold of $10,378 per QALY. Price reductions are warranted to make bDMARDs cost-effective and affordable.

Indexed as

Antirheumatic AgentsArthritis, RheumatoidCost-Benefit AnalysisHumansMethotrexateQuality-Adjusted Life YearsAntirheumatic AgentsMethotrexateChina; Cost-effectiveness; Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs; Rheumatoid arthritis

Identifiers

PMID34373933
OpenAlexW3191364405

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.