Determinants of direct costs in Dutch rheumatoid arthritis patients

Objectives: To estimate annual direct costs in four distinct disease duration groups (0 to ⩽2, 2 to ⩽6, 6 to ⩽10, and >10 years) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), to determine predictors of high costs and to describe characteristics of patients with high and with low costs. Methods: A questionnaire assessing RA related care and resource utilisation rates and costs was completed by 615 RA patients. Predictive variables for incurred costs, as observed during the first year after disease onset, were determined in a subgroup of patients (n = 347). Results: Mean (median) annual direct... Mehr ...