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Effect of certolizumab pegol with methotrexate on home and work place productivity and social activities in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis
Arthritis Care and Research , 11/02/09

Kavanaugh A et al. –The goal of this study was to assess the impact of certolizumab pegol (CZP), a novel PEGylated anti-tumor necrosis factor, in combination with methotrexate (MTX) on productivity outside and within the home, and on participation in family, social, and leisure activities in adult patients with RA. CZP plus MTX improved productivity outside and within the home and resulted in more participation in social activities compared with placebo plus MTX. These observations suggest that considerable indirect cost gains might be achieved with this therapeutic agent in RA.

Methods

2 phase III, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (Rheumatoid Arthritis Prevention of Structural Damage [RAPID] 1 and RAPID 2)
Novel, validated, RA-specific Work Productivity Survey (WPS-RA) was used to assess work place and home productivity
WPS-RA responses collected at baseline and every 4 weeks until withdrawal/study completion

Results

At baseline, 41.6% and 39.8% of subjects employed outside home in RAPID 1 and RAPID 2, respectively
Compared with placebo plus MTX, CZP plus MTX significantly reduced work absenteeism and presenteeism among patients working outside home
Significant reductions in number of household days lost, household days with productivity reduced by ≥ 50%, and days lost due to RA for participation in family, social, and leisure activities were reported by patients in active treatment relative to placebo plus MTX
Improvements in all measures observed with CZP plus MTX as early as week 4, and maintained until study end
Findings consistent with clinical improvements with CZP plus MTX in both trials