Authors' recommendations: The objective of this study was to assess the current status and identify the most effective treatment sequence of therapies for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, by utilizing a new systematic review. A mixed-treatment comparison was carried out with a systematic literature review using secondary information sources, including the analysis of claims application data submitted to the National Health Insurance. However, there were limitations to the study due to a lack of existing research data. The degree of joint damage was difficult to assess in a quantitative manner using the joint count method or the standardized Sharp score method because it required a lot of time and effort to measure 28-68 joints and to reflect those results in the treatment scores. In addition, most of the drug comparative effectiveness research currently being done focuses mainly on second-line agents including biological agents. Therefore, the publication of a prospective clinical research in the future to compare the effectiveness of RA drugs (for example, comparing DMARDs and biological agents) will enable the development of improved guidelines for the prescription of cost-effective drug regimens for the treatment of RA.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2014

URL for published report: https://www.neca.re.kr/lay1/program/S1T11C145/report/view.do?seq=77

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: South Korea

Organisation Name: National Evidence-based healthcare Collaborating Agency

Contact Address: National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA), 3~5F Health and Welfare Social Administration B/D, 400 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Korea.

Contact Name: int@neca.re.kr

Contact Email: int@neca.re.kr

Copyright: National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA)