Healthcare Attributable Costs of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Colombia: A Real-World Study Based on National Contributory Scheme Claims Data

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to estimate the economic burden of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Colombia, evaluating total healthcare expenditures and, specifically, costs directly associated with the disease. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis using nationwide administrative data from Colombia's contributory healthcare scheme for 2018. RA patients were identified through an electronic algorithm based on ICD-10 diagnostic codes and medications. Analyzed costs encompassed direct medical expenditures, including medications, outpatient consultations, diagnostic tests, procedures, and hospitalizations. Marginal costs attributable to RA were estimated using a methodology based on attributable risks using propensity score matching. Expenditures were compared with 2 matched control groups without RA, adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: The total national economic burden of RA in Colombia, reported in US$2018 purchasing power parity, was estimated at $1069 million, with $566 million attributed explicitly to directly associated excess healthcare expenditures. The average annual cost per RA patient was $3422 (± $7573), whereas directly attributable RA costs per patient were $1756 (95% CI: 1703-1809). Medication expenses represented the largest share, accounting for 53.2% of total RA-related costs, averaging $1483 per RA patient, significantly higher than the non-RA comparison groups ($260 and $163, respectively). Biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs alone accounted for 65.0% of medication costs. Outpatient services represented 71.6% of total expenditures, followed by hospitalizations at 19.2%. CONCLUSIONS: RA presents a considerable economic burden in Colombia, driven primarily by medication, especially biologics and outpatient services. Strategies aiming at the cost-effective management of RA treatments could alleviate the associated healthcare expenditures.