Practices for managing a flare of long-standing rheumatoid arthritis: survey among French rheumatologists.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the practices of rheumatologists in France for managing a flare in a patient being treated for long-standing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to estimate the corresponding costs.


METHODS
A survey questionnaire was sent to the 2485 practicing rheumatologists in France; 917 completed questionnaires were returned (37% response rate). The questionnaire collected information on the respondents and on their recommendations for managing a fictional patient with a 10-year history of RA in flare, with a recent episode of neck pain, despite prednisone and methotrexate therapy. Investigational and treatment (first month) costs were estimated from the perspective of society in 2001 Euros.


RESULTS
Over 80% of the respondents recommended measuring laboratory inflammation parameters, complete blood cell counts, liver enzymes, serum creatinine, and radiographs (hands, anteroposterior cervical spine view, wrists, knees); 50-70% recommended additional cervical spine incidences, elbow and chest radiographs, and bone absorptiometry. Adding anti-TNF therapy (24%) or another DMARD (10%), increasing the methotrexate dosage (24%), and substituting leflunomide for methotrexate were the main recommended treatments. Most respondents suggested continuing the glucocorticoid in the same dosage (61%) or a higher dosage (36%). Analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were recommended by 65% and 41% of respondents and rehabilitation therapy by 83%. The median cost was 500 Euro (mean 1105 Euro; range 80-4089 Euro).


CONCLUSIONS
We found a high level of agreement among French rheumatologists regarding the evaluation of established RA. Marked variations in recommended treatments were observed and translated into major cost differences.
Maravic
M
M
Service de Rhumatologie and UPRES 3408, Hôpital Avicenne (APHP) and Université Paris 13, Bobigny, France.
Bergé
C
C
Daurès
J P
JP
Boissier
M C
MC
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000191:economics*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012219:Rheumatology / Q000191:economics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate