title: The total cost of care and the use of pharmaceuticals in the management of rheumatoid arthritis: the Medi-Cal program.
abstract: Medicaid claims data were analyzed to investigate the prevalence and cost of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the Medi-Cal program. It was estimated that approximately 24,000 Medi-Cal recipients receive treatment for RA each year. The sample of Medi-Cal RAs studied averaged more than $2500 annually in total direct health care expenditures. The total cost of RA to Medi-Cal is projected to be $19.26 million (+/- $0.90 million) annually. Inclusion of possible gastrointestinal side effects of drug therapy increases the total cost to $20.49 million (+/- $0.91 million). While only 6.5% of the sample of RAs were hospitalized and 4.9% received nursing home care annually, these services are estimated to account for nearly 70% of RA-related expenditures. Less than 7% of Medi-Cal RAs receive disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). More than 75% of Medi-Cal RAs received aspirin or NSAIDs. These relieve pain and inflammation, but have not been demonstrated to halt the process of joint destruction.
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002140:California; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005102:Health Expenditures; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008484:Medicaid
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents