Indirect cost assessment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA): comparison of data from the health economic patient questionnaire HEQ-RA and insurance claims data.

Objective: To render information on the accuracy of patient-reported indirect cost data compared with payer-derived data of the real indirect costs on a patient-by-patient basis concerning disease-related productivity losses in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: The assessment of indirect cost data was part of a clinical, multicenter, randomized RA trial. A total of 234 patients of working age with a diagnosis of RA (according to 1987 American College of Rheumatology criteria) were recruited.

Direct costs related to rheumatoid arthritis: the patient perspective.

Objective: To determine rheumatoid arthritis related out of pocket expenditure (OOPE) in Germany and to disaggregate the total OOPE into contributing cost domains.

Methods: Data for the cost analysis were drawn from a multicentre randomised controlled prospective trial to assess the effectiveness of clinical quality management in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Both payer sources and patient cost questionnaires were used to generate health care utilisation data.

Patient-reported health care utilization in rheumatoid arthritis: what level of detail is required?

Objective: To investigate the level of detail required in self-reported health care utilization questionnaires for administration to patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: A preliminary questionnaire was developed on the basis of existing tools for use in rheumatic conditions and in-depth interviews with 10 RA patients. Data gathered over 1 year of administration in a clinical setting were then matched to a comprehensive database of payer-reported information.

Comparison of estimated medical costs among patients who are defined as having rheumatoid arthritis using three different standards.

Accurate estimation of medical care costs raises a host of challenging issues. We examined whether pure administrative claims data without clinical validation of diagnosis allow reasonable estimation of disease-related costs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Three patient groups were examined: patients with clinically confirmed RA (group A, n=338), patients with likely RA (administrative claims data reported the diagnosis of RA and patients were treated with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs, DMARDs; group B, n=303), and patients with possible RA (same as group B but patients had no DMARD treatment; group C, n=685).

Costs of rheumatoid arthritis in Germany: a micro-costing approach based on healthcare payer's data sources.

Objective: To develop a systematic set of German cost data in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based solely on valid healthcare payer's cost data sources.

Methods: Retrospectively one year cost data of 338 patients with RA were generated and analysed. The cost data were derived from a major statutory health insurance plan ("Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse Niedersachsen") and the regional physicians' association ("Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Niedersachsen").