OBJECTIVES: Patients and rheumatologists have a number of options to consider 
for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including biologic response 
modifier (BRM) therapy and diseasemodifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The 
objective of this study was to identify the considerations that are most 
important to patients and rheumatologists when deciding to initiate BRM therapy 
for RA.
METHODS: An online survey was conducted by Harris Interactive (Rochester, NY) 
and completed in January 2007. Patients receiving BRMs were asked to rank their 
considerations in initiating BRM therapy, patients receiving DMARDs were asked 
to rank their considerations in switching to or initiating BRM therapy, and 
rheumatologists were asked to rank their considerations in prescribing BRM 
therapy. Participants arranged the following 9 factors from most to least 
important: efficacy, safety/side effects, years on market, physician's 
experience with product, physician's personal preference, method of 
administration, dosing frequency, cost (out of pocket), and patient support 
programs.
RESULTS: A total of 400 rheumatologists and 729 patients were surveyed (BRMs, n 
= 504; DMARDs, n = 225). The following factors were ranked consistently high 
across groups: safety (ranked first, first, and second for BRM patients, DMARD 
patients, and rheumatologists, respectively), efficacy (second, fourth, and 
first, respectively), and physician's experience with the drug (third for all 3 
groups). Years on market (ranked seventh, sixth, and seventh, respectively) and 
availability of patient support groups ranked consistently low.
CONCLUSIONS: When considering BRM therapy for RA, the 3 most important factors 
for patients and physicians are safety, efficacy, and the physician's experience 
with the product.