TY - JOUR T1 - Cost-effectiveness of biologic agents for treatment of autoimmune disorders: structured review of the literature. JF - The Journal of Rheumatology JO - J Rheumatol SP - 2124 LP - 2131 VL - 33 IS - 11 AU - Rachael Fleurence AU - Eldon Spackman Y1 - 2006/11/01 UR - http://www.jrheum.org/content/33/11/2124.abstract N2 - OBJECTIVE: Four new biologic treatments have been approved for several autoimmune disorders. Economic evaluations have been used to model their cost-effectiveness. METHODS: We conducted a structured literature review in Embase and PubMed to identify all relevant cost-effectiveness models investigating one or more of these 4 drugs in autoimmune disorders. RESULTS: Fifteen full economic evaluations were identified [13 for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 2 for Crohn's disease (CD), and 1 for ankylosing spondylitis (AS)]. While several studies found adalimumab, etanercept, and infliximab to be cost-effective (using a threshold around $50,000/quality-adjusted life-year) for treatment of severe RA, not all studies concurred, and there was significant variation in the range of cost-effectiveness ratios reported. Neither study in CD found treatment with infliximab to be cost-effective. Only one study was identified in AS: treatment with infliximab was found to be cost-effective. CONCLUSION: Modeling treatment strategies in chronic relapsing diseases such as RA, CD, and AS presents particular challenges, as reflected in the variation in cost-effectiveness results reported. A reference case for economic evaluations, such as that suggested by the OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatology) Health Economics Working Group will facilitate comparison and interpretation of results. ER -