Lines of therapy with biological drugs in dermatology, gastroenterology, and rheumatology practices in Germany .

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to investigate lines of therapy with biological drugs in patients followed in dermatology, gastroenterology, and rheumatology practices in Germany.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included patients aged 18 years or over who had received a biological therapy in dermatology, gastroenterology, or rheumatology practices in Germany in 2017 (index date). The primary outcome of the study was the prevalence of different lines of therapy (first-, second-, third-, and at least fourth-line therapies) by type of practice, age, and gender. The second outcome was the association between basic characteristics (type of practice, age, and gender) and lines of therapy with biological drugs.

RESULTS: The present study included 27,816 individuals. The mean age (SD) at index date was 50.7 years (15.4 years). Biological drugs were prescribed as first-line therapies in 60% of patients (dermatology 73%, gastroenterology 61%, and rheumatology 56%). The prevalence of first-line therapies ranged from 57% in individuals aged 41 - 50 years to 65% in those aged 18 - 30 years. Furthermore, 56% of women and 61% of men were prescribed biological drugs as first-line therapies. Finally, the likelihood of being prescribed biological drugs as second-, third-, or at least fourth-line therapies was significantly associated with being followed in a rheumatology or gastroenterology practice, older age, and female gender.

CONCLUSION: Biological drugs were prescribed as first-line therapies in most cases. The type of practice as well as the patient's age and gender had a significant impact on lines of therapy with biological drugs.
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