Background/Purpose: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disorder that causes joint pain and swelling, bone erosions, and deformity. This debilitating disease can severely impact patients’ quality of life, employment opportunities, daily activities, and life expectancy. Over time, RA can cause the joints to become permanently deformed, which may lead to disability. Because of advances in treatment options such as biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs), many patients with RA are now able to continue to work and lead full lives, whereas decades ago this was not possible. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of introducing bDMARDs as a treatment option for patients with RA.
Conclusion: The simulation model estimates show that biologics will reduce the RA population disability burden and increase the life span of RA patients. The model can be used to estimate additional population outcomes including costs and healthcare resource use.
