Background With tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, changes
of dosing, switching between drugs, insufficient
adherence, and persistence are frequent in rheumatoid
arthritis. Because this is often associated with decreased
efficiency and increased costs, dosage analyses based on
claims data are of increasing interest for healthcare providers
and payers. Nevertheless, no standardized methods
exist to ensure high-quality research.
Objective In this review, we compare and discuss applied
methods in claims data-based dosage analyses of tumor
necrosis factor inhibitor prescriptions in patients with
rheumatoid arthritis.
Methods A systematic review was performed in accordance
with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic
Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. The dosage
analysis methods performed within the selected studies
were classified into switching, persistence, adherence, and
dosage-change analyses, and were then compared and
finally discussed.
Results A total of 45 studies were found to be relevant. In
most studies, a change in dose or persistence was evaluated,
followed by switching and adherence analyses.
Analyses of changed dose exhibit the most extensive
variation of methods. We divided them into three principal
methods, where a specified reference dose is compared
with (1) the last dose, (2) any dose, or (3) all doses.
Conclusion The systematic review identified a high variation
of methods. Our results may be helpful for choosing
appropriate methods in future studies. The results also
demonstrate the need for evidence-based recommendations
of methods used in claims data research.