title: Longitudinal analysis of the use of etanercept versus infliximab determined from medical chart audit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the dosing of etanercept and infliximab for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult patients with a diagnosis of RA who were treated with either etanercept or infliximab between 1999 and 2002 were selected from 16 rheumatology practices in the western and southeastern United States. Patients with a terminal illness or those receiving a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitor for an indication other than RA were excluded. Data were collected through a review of the patient medical records. Data collected on each patient included demographics, concurrent disease-modifying antirheumatic drug therapy, TNF-alpha inhibitor dose, frequency, duration of TNF-alpha inhibitor therapy, and discontinuation of TNF-alpha inhibitor therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 244 patients were included in the evaluation (etanercept only [n=128; 52%], infliximab only [n=89; 36%], both [n=27; 11%]). The mean age of these patients was 55.1+/-13.3 years, 54.9+/-13.5 years, and 52.8+/-14.0 years, respectively; the mean duration of RA was 13.3 +/- 8.8 years, 13.4+/-8.0 years, and 14.0 +/- 9.9 years, respectively. Female patients constituted 70% of the sample. Health maintenance organization insurance was the most common form of medical insurance (45.8%), followed by Medicare (22.3%). The mean duration of follow-up for etanercept and infliximab treatment was 29.3+/-14.1 months and 14.8+/-6.9 months, respectively. Among patients who were still receiving therapy at the time of review, the mean initial and last etanercept doses were 25.0 mg versus 25.8 mg (P=0.16); the mean initial and last infliximab doses were 3.38 mg/kg versus 4.51 mg/kg (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The dosing of etanercept and infliximab therapy was consistent with the approved labeling of both medications.
authors.affiliation: University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, Center for Health Outcomes & PharmacoEconomic Research, 1703 E. Mabel, P.O. Box 210207, Tucson, AZ 85721-0207, USA. abarca@pharmacy.arizona.edu
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abarca
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Malone
authors.forename: Edward P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Amy J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Grizzle
authors.forename: Marc D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D000068800:Etanercept; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000069285:Infliximab; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068800:Etanercept