[Cost study of NSAID use in rheumatoid arthritis based on recent therapeutic protocols]

In today's health care beside the medical perspective, economic aspects should also be taken into consideration. Because of the significant opportunity-cost, only the most cost-effective techniques should be subsidized, which result the highest net-benefit for the society. This paper focuses on the economic aspects of the chronic NSAID use in rheumatoid arthritis. Based on recent therapeutic protocols a cost study (partial economic evaluation) was carried out. Our results indicate that for patients with an average GI-risk retard diclofenac could be a possible good choice. For patients with moderate to severe GI risk, retard diclofenac + pantoprazole combination therapy should be prescribed. COX-2 inhibitors are advised only for a limited group of patients with specific conditions; because of their higher price and side effect profile (severe CV adverse effect and uncertain GI benefits). We would also highlight the importance of individual therapy. In complex our purpose was to evaluate current therapeutic guidelines from a pharmacoeconomic perspective.