Impact of specialty drugs on the use of other medical services.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine whether initiation of a biologic agent to treat 2 autoimmune disorders -- rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis (MS) -- affects use of other medical services.

Study design

Longitudinal analysis from 1997 to 2005 examining linked pharmacy and medical claims from large, private employers.

Methods

The study sample included 30,761 individuals newly diagnosed with RA (92,660 person-years) and 8961 unique individuals with MS (25,100 person-years). Negative binomial models were used to estimate changes in inpatient, outpatient, and procedure use before and after initiating a biologic drug for each condition.

Results

Starting a biologic response modifier was associated with a reduction in physician visits and use of expensive procedures

SUBMITTER: Joyce GF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3767569 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature