Real-World Data from a Multi-Center Study: Insights to Psoriatic Arthritis Care.

introductionReal-world data indicate disparities in biologic access across Europe.

objectivesTo describe the national structure of PsA care in Poland, with a particular focus on the population of inadequate responders (IRs) and difficulties associated with biologic therapy access.

methodsA pool of rheumatologic and dermatologic care centers was created based on National Health Fund contract lists (

resultsBarriers to biologic DMARD (bDMARD) treatment are complex and include stringency of reimbursement criteria, health care system, logistic/organizational, and personal choice factors. For patients who are currently bDMARD users, the median waiting time from the visit, at which the reimbursement procedure was initiated, to the first day of bDMARD admission was 9 weeks (range 2-212; 32% < 4 weeks, 29% 5-12 weeks, 26% 13-28 weeks, 13% with >28 weeks delay). Out of all inadequate responder groups, bDMARD users are the only group with "good" therapeutic situation and satisfaction with therapy. Patient satisfaction with therapy is not always concordant with physician assessment of therapeutic status.

conclusionsDespite the fact that over a decade has passed since the introduction of biologic agents, in medium welfare countries such as Poland, considerable healthcare system barriers to biologic access are present. Out of different IR populations, patient satisfaction with treatment is often discordant with physician assessment of disease status.