Cost Effectiveness of Tumour Necrosis Factor-α Inhibitors as First-Line Agents in Rheumatoid Arthritis

While these ICERs cannot be used to directly compare one biological agent with another since there are no comparative trials, they do provide a valid comparison versus methotrexate as first-line agents. Depending where the cost-effectiveness threshold is drawn (i.e. whether it is considered to be $US50 000 or $US100 000 per QALY), etanercept and adalimumab may be considered relatively cost-effective first-line treatments for RA compared with methotrexate monotherapy. </AbstractSection> Copyright Adis Data Information BV 2006