How good is the coverage and how accurate are exposure data in the Swedish Biologics Register (ARTIS)

Objectives: To assess the coverage of the Swedish Biologics Register (Anti-Rheumatic Therapy in Sweden, ARTIS) across indications, and the accuracy of the registered information on treatment with biologics.Method: Through cross-reference of ARTIS to almost complete national health registers on prescriptions (adalimumab and etanercept), outpatient visits, and death/residency during 2008–2010, we assessed: the treatment coverage of ARTIS for each treatment indication, the validity of the registered start and stop dates, ARTIS treatments with no corresponding drug dispensations, and the accuracy of the registered information on concomitant anti-rheumatic therapies.Results: According to the national health registers, 3945 individuals with a spondyloarthropathy (SpA) and 8032 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had filled at least one adalimumab or etanercept prescription during the study period. Of these, 86% of those with SpAs and 95% of patients with RA were also found in ARTIS with the corresponding tr...