title: Profile of users of anticytokines offered by the health care system in the state of Paraná for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Brazilian Unified Health Care System (SUS) offers treatment for patients with RA through federal funding (Ministry of Health) and state co-financing. The Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis describe the therapeutic regimen for the disease, including the anticytokines adalimumab, etanercept or infliximab.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of registered users of those anticytokines, biologics registered in the Information System of the Pharmaceutical Assistance Specialized Division, managed by the Paraná State Drug Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study regarding data from March 2010 was conducted. Based on dispensation data, information regarding the following variables were collected: age; gender; regional health care centers; International Classification of Diseases (ICD); and drug dispensed. In addition, the monthly cost with anticytokines for the SUS was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the state of Paraná, 923 patients on anticytokines were identified, 40%, 44% and 16% of whom receiving adalimumab, etanercept and infliximab, respectively. This generated a monthly cost of R$3,403,195.59. Regarding the ICD, the distribution of patients was as follows: 55% had ICD M05.8; 27%, ICD M06.0; 9%, ICD M6.8; 8%, ICD M5.0; and 1% had other ICDs related to the disease. The regional health care centers of the state of Paraná with the largest number of patients on anticytokines were in the following municipalities: Ponta Grossa; Cornélio Procópio; Londrina; Cianorte; Maringá; Irati; and Campo Mourão.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study assessed the distribution and profile of users of anticytokines for the rheumatoid arthritis treatment covered by the SUS in the state of Paraná, in March 2010.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Paraná.
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiens
authors.forename: Mônica Cavichiolo
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Grochocki
authors.forename: Deise Regina Sprada
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Pontarolli
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Venson
authors.forename: Cassyano Januário
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Correr
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pontarolo
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D000068800:Etanercept; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000600:supply & distribution; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D055553:Prescription Drugs; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000068800:Etanercept