What matters to patients and physicians when considering biologic therapy for rheumatoid arthritis

Patients and rheumatologists have a number of options to consider for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including biologic response modifier (BRM) therapy and diseasemodifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The objective of this study was to identify the considerations that are most important to patients and rheumatologists when deciding to initiate BRM therapy for RA.

An online survey was conducted by Harris Interactive (Rochester, NY) and completed in January 2007. Patients receiving BRMs were asked to rank their considerations in initiating BRM therapy, patients receiving DMARDs were asked to rank their considerations in switching to or initiating BRM therapy, and rheumatologists were asked to rank their considerations in prescribing BRM therapy. Participants arranged the following 9 factors from most to least important: efficacy, safety/side effects, years on market, physician's experience with product, physician's personal preference, method of administration, dosing frequency, cost (out of pocket), and patient support programs.

A total of 400 rheumatologists and 729 patients were surveyed (BRMs, n = 504; DMARDs, n = 225). The following factors were ranked consistently high across groups: safety (ranked first, first, and second for BRM patients, DMARD patients, and rheumatologists, respectively), efficacy (second, fourth, and first, respectively), and physician's experience with the drug (third for all 3 groups). Years on market (ranked seventh, sixth, and seventh, respectively) and availability of patient support groups ranked consistently low.

When considering BRM therapy for RA, the 3 most important factors for patients and physicians are safety, efficacy, and the physician's experience with the product.