Is a 1-year course of methotrexate in patients with arthralgia at-risk for rheumatoid arthritis cost-effective? A cost-effectiveness analysis of the randomised, placebo-controlled TREAT EARLIER trial
Authors' conclusion
A fixed treatment course in individuals with arthralgia at-risk for RA and MRI-detected subclinical joint inflammation resulted in better work productivity, lower healthcare costs and improved quality of life over the course of 2 years; with the largest gain in productivity costs.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with clinically suspect arthralgia (CSA) with subclinical joint inflammation
- Participants
- 236 patients
- Comparison
- 1-year MTX vs placebo
- Primary endpoint
- Cost-effectiveness: costs (societal and healthcare perspectives) and effects (quality adjusted life years (QALYs))
- Follow-up
- 2 years
Methodological detailsplacebo-controlled, societal and healthcare perspectives
- Placebo-controlled
- Societal and healthcare perspectives
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Cost-effectiveness, societal perspective
QALY difference
0.041 QALYs
95% CI −0.050 to 0.091
Methotrexate
Cost difference
−4809 €
95% CI −12 382 to 2726
Methotrexate
- Probability that treatment was cost-effective
- 88.1%
Further findings
| Outcome | Cost-difference (€) (95% CI) |
|---|---|
| Cost difference, healthcare perspective | −418 (−1198 to 225) |
Original publication
Is a 1-year course of methotrexate in patients with arthralgia at-risk for rheumatoid arthritis cost-effective? A cost-effectiveness analysis of the randomised, placebo-controlled TREAT EARLIER trial. Ann Rheum Dis. Published 2 January 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →