AB0468 Channeling of Biologic Agents: Comparing Baseline Characteristics of Biologic Naïve Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Initiating Abatacept, as Compared to Other Biologic Agents and Small Molecule Agents

BackgroundThere is limited evidence comparing the types of patients initiated on different classes of biologic medications, and this information is critical when conducting comparative observational research among patients with RA.ObjectivesThis study compared baseline characteristics of biologic naïve rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients initiating abatacept as compared to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), and other non-TNFi biologics and small molecules (non-TNFi/sm).MethodsBiologics naïve RA patients who initiated abatacept, TNFi and other non-TNFi/sm from 12/2005 to 8/2014 within the Corrona registry were identified. Initiation of first biologic or small molecule (first line use) was defined as first indication of biologic use for a patient that was previously naïve to any biologic or small molecule prior to initiation of study drug. Baseline characteristics at time of biologic initiation were captured including demographics, comorbid conditions, and RA disease characteristics including age at disease onset, disease duration, prior and concomitant medication use, and disease activity. Descriptive statistics were performed including t-tests and Chi-square tests comparing abatacept initiators to TNFi and other non-TNFi/sm initiators.ResultsAmong the 4,232 first time biologic users, 364 (9%) initiated abatacept, 3689 (87%) TNFi, and 179 (4%) other non-TNFi/sm. Abatacept initiators as compared to TNFi initiators were more likely to be older (62.8 years (yrs) vs 56 yrs; P