Categorization of infliximab dose changes and healthcare utilization and expenditures for patients with rheumatoid arthritis in commercially insured and Medicare-eligible populations

Abstract

An increase in dose was the most common dose change for the commercial cohort, while a decrease in dose was the most common dose change for the Medicare-eligible cohort. Patients with an increase in dose had the highest utilization and expenditures while those with no change in dose had the lowest levels. The nature of this utilization needs to be examined to better understand how dosing changes may influence medical utilization. Changes in dose were defined by the difference between the first and final doses and may not have captured changes in interim doses.