Reduction of direct and indirect costs in patients with AS receiving etanercept: results from an open-label 36-week extension of the ASCEND study in four European countries

Rheumatology (Oxford). 2012 Feb;51(2):393-6. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/ker404. Epub 2011 Dec 30.

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the impact of etanercept (ETN) in AS on cost, work productivity and quality of life (QoL).

Methods: A Phase 4, open-label, multi-centre (UK, Scandinavia) extension study in AS. Eligible subjects (n = 84) were treated for 36-52 weeks with ETN 50 mg s.c. once weekly. Analysis included direct costs (transformed out-patient and in-patient care elements), indirect costs (sick leave and lost working days), efficacy and QoL.

Results: Annualized direct and indirect costs decreased (55.5%, P ≤ 0.008) during ETN treatment, as did out-patient and in-patient episodes (physiotherapist/physician visits, P = 0.012). Work productivity and QoL increased.

Conclusion: ETN therapy significantly reduces direct and indirect health-care costs and increases work ability and QoL in AS. Trial Registration. EUDRACT, https://eudract.ema.europa.eu/, 2006-001061-42.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase IV
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antirheumatic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antirheumatic Agents / economics
  • Efficiency
  • Employment
  • Etanercept
  • Female
  • Health Care Costs*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / administration & dosage*
  • Immunoglobulin G / adverse effects
  • Immunoglobulin G / economics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quality of Life*
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / administration & dosage*
  • Sick Leave / statistics & numerical data
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / drug therapy*
  • Spondylitis, Ankylosing / economics
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Etanercept