title: A simple model that suggests possible cost savings when modified-release prednisone 5 mg/day is added to current treatment in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effects of a 12-week treatment with modified-release prednisone (MR-pred) on the costs of drug treatment of RA were modelled.
  
  
  METHODS
  With the results of a recent randomized trial as source data, we expressed the effect of treatment (MR-pred vs placebo) on the decrease in the proportion of RA patients meeting disease activity thresholds for reimbursement of biologic treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed 11-13% more patients on MR-pred than on placebo dropped below reimbursement thresholds for The Netherlands, Belgium and the UK. Assuming 1 year of biologics cost €15,000 and MR-pred costs €1/day, €396 are saved in each patient delaying biologic treatment by 12 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite a considerably higher cost than conventional prednisone, MR-pred is a cost-effective option for RA patients not on glucocorticoids who are eligible for therapy with biologic agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Center, PK 6Z 165, PO Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. maartenguard-rheum@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Maarten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boers
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buttgereit
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D001530:Belgium; D017046:Cost Savings; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D011241:Prednisone / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D011241:Prednisone
keywords: cost of treatment; economic model; glucocorticoids; rheumatoid arthritis; treatment