Impact of comorbid conditions on healthcare expenditure and work-related outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the effect of comorbid conditions on direct healthcare expenditure and work-related outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods. This is a retrospective analysis of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey from 2006 to 2015 in 4967 adults with RA in the United States. Generalized linear models were used for healthcare expenditure and income, logistic models for employment status, and zero-inflated negative binomial models for absenteeism. Thirteen comorbid conditions were included as potential predictors of direct cost- and work-related outcomes. The models were adjusted for sociodemographic factors including sex, age, region, marital status, race/ethnicit..