Purpose: Golimumab (GLM) is a once monthly subcutaneous fully human anti-tumor necrosis factor treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). The purpose of this study was to report GLM utilization patterns in a large retrospective U.S. healthcare claims database.
Method: This study measured longitudinal GLM dosing patterns in adult patients with GLM prescriptions between 4/24/2009 and 12/31/2010, at least one diagnosis of interest (RA, PsA or AS) and continuous activity in the Source® LX database (≥6 months pre; ≥6 months post GLM initiation). Eligible patients had at least 6 GLM fills recorded. The proportion of fills with a 28-31 day supply of 50 mg or 100 mg GLM was determined and confirmed by plan paid cost fields. The GLM dosing interval (days) was defined as the difference between consecutive fill dates.
Result: A total of 794 patients were studied. The sample was predominantly female (76%); had rheumatoid arthritis (RA; 76%; n=607) and mean age of 52.5 years. Approximately 56% of patients had used biologics prior to GLM initiation (bio-experienced) while 44% had no history of biologic use before initiating GLM (bio-naïve). A 50 mg dose was observed in 97.7% of fills. Overall, median dosing interval was 30 days and mean was 33.9 days. Dosing intervals were similar among bio-naïve patients and bio-experienced patients. The average plan paid cost per GLM fill was $1,601.88.
Conclusion: In this longitudinal study of GLM utilization in a U.S.healthcare claims database, three quarters of GLM users had a diagnosis of RA and more than half of GLM users had prior treatment with biologic therapies. The majority of GLM fills were 50 mg with a median refill interval of every 30 days. Golimumab dosing patterns in bio-naïve and bio-experienced patients were similar. Assuming an average plan-paid cost per fill of $1,601.88, average annual golimumab therapy costs in this population would be $19,223.
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