Table 1

PICO strategy for the search

PopulationRheumatoid arthritis
InterventionAnalysis of costs in RA (treatment and societal costs)
Control

  • ▶ Different treatments

  • ▶ No treatment

Outcome

  • O1: Costs of RA

  • O2: Cost-effectiveness of DMARDs: MTX, SSZ, LEF, HCQ, ciclosporin A

  • O3: Cost-effectiveness of biological agents: ADA, ETA, IFX, RTX, ABA, TCZ

  • O4: Cost-effectiveness of steroids

  • O5: Cost-effectiveness of treatment strategies: switching, adding, initial combination, step-up, step-down; visit intervals, early start, …

  • O6: Economic methods used

  • ABA, abatacept; ADA, adalimumab; DMARD, disease-modifying antirheumatic drug; ETA, etanercept; HCQ, hydroxychloroquine; IFX, infliximab; LEF, leflunomide; MTX, methotrexate; RTX, rituximab; SSZ, sulfasalazine; TCZ, tocilizumab.