Surveyed Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients on Biologic Therapy Believe That the Benefits Outweigh the Risks for Available Biologics, with Enbrel Rating the Highest, According to a Recent BioTrends Report
BioTrends Research Group, one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms for specialized biopharmaceutical issues, finds that for those surveyed rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients on biologic therapy, the benefits outweigh the risks for all of the available biologic agents. According to , Amgen/Pfizer’s Enbrel received the highest ratings in several categories. The ability to reduce and/or eliminate the symptoms of RA was highly rated for Enbrel, and more than one-half of surveyed RA patients taking Enbrel also reported no side effects. With the exception of reverse joint damage, biologic therapy seems to be addressing the symptoms of RA, according to surveyed patients. However, patients also view biologics as increasing their chances of catching serious infections and developing certain types of cancer.
Surveyed RA patients most frequently are taking a conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) + a TNF-alpha inhibitor, and conventional DMARD monotherapy. The conventional DMARD of choice for over one-half of the patients participating in the survey is methotrexate. Those surveyed RA patients who take methotrexate to treat their RA give high satisfaction ratings for its ease of use and cost, and this should not be a surprise since it is available in oral form and is generic. RA patients on conventional DMARD therapy report an upset stomach as the most common side effect; however, the majority do not experience any side effects.
“The rheumatoid arthritis patients we surveyed and spoke to are very proactive when it comes to managing their disease,” said BioTrends Immunology Therapeutic Class Director Paul Zimmerman. “In addition to discussions with their primary RA doctor, who is usually a rheumatologist, over one-third of the surveyed patients also discussed their disease and therapy with another doctor. This not only increases their knowledge of the disease, but also of the medications they’re taking and the associated benefits and risks.”
surveyed a total of 260 patients diagnosed with and treated for rheumatoid arthritis in the U.S. Qualitative telephone interviews were also conducted with 15 patients from the sample. Respondents were required to fulfill the following specific characteristics for this survey: age 18 to 80; diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis must have come from a physician; must be currently using a disease-modifying medication to treat their rheumatoid arthritis.
BioTrends Research Group provides syndicated and custom market research to pharmaceutical manufacturers competing in clinically evolving, specialty pharmaceutical markets. For information on BioTrends publications and research capabilities, please contact us at (610) 321-9400 or BioTrends is a Decision Resources Group company.
Decision Resources Group is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources Group at .