Patients with inflammatory arthritis face various challenges when it comes to choosing the right biologic therapy for their condition. A recent study conducted in Spain delved into the impact of biosimilars versus originator products on treatment continuation and identified some interesting findings. The study, published in the Journal of Rheumatology, revealed that patients starting biosimilar versions of etanercept or adalimumab were more likely to continue their treatment compared to those starting the originator products.
The researchers, led by Dr. María Paz Martínez-Vidal, found that the discontinuation rates over 2 to 3 years of follow-up were significantly lower for biosimilars (33.4%) compared to originator products (53.3%). This suggests that there may be certain aspects of biosimilars that make them more appealing to patients, leading to better adherence to treatment. However, it remains unclear exactly what factors contributed to the higher discontinuation rates seen with the originator products.
When examining the most common medical reasons for treatment discontinuation, namely adverse effects and lack of efficacy, the study found no significant differences between biosimilars and originator drugs. This finding could provide reassurance to clinicians and patients alike when considering the use of biosimilars in real-world practice.
The study utilized data from the Spanish registry BIOBADASER, which includes patients with rheumatic diseases prescribed biologic or targeted synthetic drugs. The analysis focused on 4,162 patients prescribed either subcutaneous etanercept or adalimumab from 2016 to 2023. The mean follow-up period was 2.5 years for etanercept and 1.8 years for adalimumab, with slightly longer follow-up for patients starting the originator versions.
In addition to the type of drug, the study identified other factors that predicted longer treatment retention. Patients with longer disease duration and those receiving concomitant methotrexate were more likely to continue their treatment. On the other hand, using the biologics as second- or later-line treatment was associated with a higher risk of discontinuation.
The findings of this study shed light on the impact of biosimilars on treatment adherence in patients with inflammatory arthritis. The lower discontinuation rates associated with biosimilars suggest that they may offer certain advantages over originator products in terms of patient acceptance and tolerance. However, further research is needed to better understand the underlying factors driving these differences in treatment continuation.
The study provides valuable insights into the use of biosimilars in the management of inflammatory arthritis. By highlighting the potential benefits of biosimilars in terms of treatment adherence, this research adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of biosimilars as alternative treatment options for patients with rheumatic diseases.
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