Real-world treatment patterns, healthcare resource utilisation and costs in patients with SLE in the USA

To evaluate the treatment patterns, medication adherence, concomitant corticosteroid use, factors influencing sequence of therapies (SOTs), healthcare resource utilisation (HCRU) and associated costs in adults with SLE in the USA.

Claims data from the Merative MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Database between 2011 and 2019 were used to identify patients with incident SLE. The date of first claim with SLE was defined as the index date, with a 24-month pre-index and ≥24-month post-index period. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate patient demographics and baseline clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, adherence, HCRU and cost. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with transition between SOTs.

Overall, 2476 patients received SLE treatment. The mean (SD) age was 46.9 (14.1) years and the mean (SD) follow-up duration was 47.8 (15.7) months. High corticosteroid use was prevalent in all SOTs (≥1 corticosteroid; average dose, 16.8-19.3 mg/day; 50%-60% patients). Antimalarials were most commonly prescribed in SOT 1 (85.7%), and immunosuppressants in SOT 2 and 3 (85.4% and 77.5%, respectively). Transition frequency from SOT 1-2 (38.4%) and SOT 2-3 (16.9%) was influenced by immunosuppressant prescription, concomitant corticosteroid use, sex, severe disease activity, non-persistence and age. Adherence was highest for biologics, followed by antimalarials and immunosuppressants. SLE-related HCRU and associated costs increased with SOT progression (mean (SD) at baseline vs SOT 3, US$19 489 (US$45 336) vs US$23 201 (US$39 628)).

SLE treatment regimens with greater adherence and reduced corticosteroid use, HCRU and associated costs are needed.