The study conducted by María Paz Martínez-Vidal, MD, PhD, and colleagues at Hospital Universitario San Juan de Alicante in Spain explores the treatment preferences of Spanish patients with inflammatory arthritis who were prescribed etanercept or adalimumab, comparing their continuation rates with originator products versus biosimilar versions. The findings suggest that patients were more likely to continue taking biosimilar versions over the originator products, indicating a preference for the biosimilar option.
The study reported a significant difference in the discontinuation rates of originator products compared to biosimilars, with a lower rate observed in patients using biosimilar versions. Despite this finding, the researchers highlight the challenge of identifying specific reasons for patient preferences, as adverse effects and lack of efficacy were not significantly different between the two types of drugs. This lack of clarity suggests that factors beyond medical reasons may influence patients’ decisions to continue or discontinue a specific biologic treatment.
The results of the study provide insights into the real-world use of biosimilar biologics in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis. The lower discontinuation rates for biosimilar versions suggest that patients may have a more favorable experience with these products compared to the originator drugs. This information can be valuable for clinicians when considering the initiation of biosimilar treatment, as it indicates a potential advantage in terms of treatment continuation and patient satisfaction.
The study utilized data from the Spanish registry BIOBADASER, which enrolls patients with rheumatic diseases prescribed biologic or targeted synthetic drugs. The analysis included a large sample of patients prescribed etanercept or adalimumab over a period of several years. However, the study acknowledges limitations such as relying on administrative records and the possibility of unmeasured confounders affecting the results. These limitations suggest the need for further research to confirm and expand on the findings of this study.
The study by Martíz-Vidal and colleagues sheds light on patient preferences for biosimilar biologics in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis. The findings indicate a higher continuation rate for biosimilar versions compared to originator products, suggesting a potential advantage in terms of patient adherence and treatment satisfaction. These results have important implications for clinical practice and highlight the need for continued research in this area to better understand patient preferences and optimize treatment outcomes.
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