Effectiveness, Complications, and Costs of Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment with Biologics in Alberta: Experience of Indigenous and Non-indigenous Patients

Objective To examine clinical effectiveness, treatment complications, and healthcare costs for indigenous and non-indigenous Albertans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) participating in the Alberta Biologics Pharmacosurveillance program. Methods Patients initiating biologic therapy in Alberta (2004–2012) were characterized for disease severity and treatment response. Provincial hospitalization separations, physician claims, outpatient department data, and emergency department data were used to estimate treatment complication event rates and healthcare costs. Results Indigenous patients (n = 90) presented with higher disease activity [mean 28-joint count Disease Activity Score (DAS28) 6.11] than non-indigenous patients (n = 1400, mean DAS28 5.19, p Conclusion We identified disparities in treatment outcomes, safety profiles, and patient-experienced effects of RA for the indigenous population in Alberta. These disparities are critical to address to facilitate and achieve desired RA outcomes from individual and population perspectives.