Investigating Associations Between Access to Rheumatology Care, Treatment, Continuous Care, and Healthcare Utilization and Costs Among Older Individuals With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective. To examine the association between rheumatologist access, early treatment, and ongoing care of older-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthcare utilization and costs following diagnosis. Methods. We analyzed data from a population-based inception cohort of individuals aged > 65 years with RA in Ontario, Canada, diagnosed between 2002 and 2014 with follow-up to 2019. We assessed 4 per-formance measures in the first 4 years following diagnosis, including access to rheumatology care, yearly follow-up, timely treatment, and ongoing treatment with a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug. We exam-ined annual healthcare utilization, mean direct healthcare costs, and whether the performance measures were associated with costs in year 5. Results. A total of 13,293 individuals met inclusion criteria. The mean age was 73.7 (SD 5.7) years and 68% were female. Total mean direct healthcare cost per individual increased annually and was CAD $13,929 in year 5. All 4 performance measures were met for 35% of individuals. In multivariable analyses, costs for not meeting access to rheumatology care and timely treatment performance measures were 20% (95% CI 8-32) and 6% (95% CI 1-12) higher, respectively, than where those measures were met. The main driver of cost savings among individuals meeting all 4 performance measures were from lower complex continuing care, home care, and long-term care costs, as well as fewer hospitalizations and emergency visits. Conclusion. Access to rheumatologists for RA diagnosis, timely treatment, and ongoing care are associated with lower total healthcare costs at 5 years. Investments in improving access to care may be associated with long-term health system savings.

Automated summary

This study examines the association between rheumatologist access, early treatment, and ongoing care of older-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and healthcare utilization and costs following diagnosis. The results show that access to rheumatologists, timely treatment, and ongoing care are associated with lower total healthcare costs at 5 years. Investments in improving access to care may lead to long-term health system savings.