LAUSR

OBJECTIVES We evaluate the socioeconomic impact of treatment with biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS We analysed data retrospectively from the prospective observational CorEvitas RA Japan Registry (March 2016‒February 2020). Patients were categorised into paid and home workers and further based on drug classes. We assessed medication persistence; treatment outcomes; healthcare resource utilisation; and socioeconomic impact over 12 months, including direct (drugs and healthcare resource utilisation) and indirect (loss of productivity) costs. RESULTS Overall, 187 paid and 114 home workers were identified. Over 12 months, medication persistence was high, treatment outcomes improved, and outpatient visits reduced in both groups. Following treatment initiation, direct costs increased, whereas indirect (loss of productivity) costs decreased in both groups. The unadjusted socioeconomic impact (Japanese yen [JPY]) increased across all drug classes in paid (range: 29,700-151,700) and home (range: -28,700-83,000) workers. Adjusted change in monthly socioeconomic impact was JPY 29,700-138,900 for paid workers and JPY -28,000-92,800 for home workers. CONCLUSIONS In this study of Japanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the socioeconomic burden increased across patient groups and drug classes. Decrease in indirect (loss of productivity) costs partially offset the increase in direct costs.