SAT0190 CORTICOSTEROID AND OPIOID USE REMAIN HIGH IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE) PATIENTS RECEIVING BIOLOGIC THERAPY: A RETROSPECTIVE CLAIMS DATABASE ANALYSIS
Authors: J. Birt, J. Wu, K. Griffing, N. Bello Vega, N. Princic, I. Winer, C. Lew, K. Costenbader
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2020)

Background: SLE is managed by variable combinations of five drug classes: antimalarials, biologics, corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and immunosuppressants. Opioids are commonly prescribed to SLE patients despite not being effective for the management of long-term musculoskeletal pain. 1 Objectives: To describe corticosteroid and opioid use among SLE patients in the United States, and the impact of belimumab initiation on prescribing patterns. Methods: This retrospective study used MarketScan administrative claims databases to select insured adults, age ≥18, with a diagnosis (ICD-9/10 710.0 &amp; M32) of SLE between 1/1/2012 and 5/31/2018 (earliest SLE diagnosis = index date). Patients were followed from index through the earliest of health plan disenrollment or 5/31/2019 (minimum of 12 months). Corticosteroid use was measured in the 12 months following SLE index date. Average daily dose of oral corticosteroids in prednisone equivalents was measured for 12 months after corticosteroid initiation. Opioid use was measured overall, and by strength and length of treatment (chronic use defined as &gt;90 days of supply). Oral corticosteroid and opioid use were compared in the 6 months before and after initiation of belimumab. Results: Of 49,413 SLE patients eligible for analysis, mean [SD] age was 50.1 [14.0] years, 90.2% were female, and average follow-up was 3.6 [1.9] years. 89.8% of patients received any SLE treatment and 68.5% received corticosteroids. The average number of corticosteroid prescriptions was 4.6 [4.1] during 12 months of follow-up. 52.6% of patients had ≥1 claim for an opioid prescription in the 12 months after SLE index and 34.6% were identified as having chronic opioid treatment. Among patients with oral corticosteroid treatment and 12 months of study enrollment post-corticosteroid initiation, the average daily dose for oral corticosteroids was 19.4 [14.2] mg and 59.6% had a high average daily dose of &gt;15mg (Figure 1). Among 1,710 patients with belimumab treatment and 6 months of study enrollment after the first prescription, use of oral corticosteroids decreased by 9.1% (p=0.001), average daily dose decreased from 14.5 [18.4] mg to 11.9 [18.0] mg (p&lt;0.001) in the 6 months post initiation as compared to the 6 months prior. However, 48.6% of patients remained on a medium (7.5mg – &lt;15mg) or high dose (≥15mg). Initiation of belimumab resulted in no change in opioid use (Table 1). Table 1. Before Belimumab After Belimumab p-value, pre vs. (N = 1,710) (N = 1,710) post Belimumab Patients with an oral steroid prescription (N, % ) 1,242 72.6% 1,086 63.5% 0.001 Number of prescriptions (Mean, SD) 2.3 2.3 2.1 2.3 &lt;0.001 Average daily dose (Mean, SD) 14.5 18.4 11.9 18.0 &lt;0.001 Low average daily dose (&gt;0 to &lt;7.5 mg) (N, %) 210 12.3% 255 14.9% 0.037 Medium average daily dose (7.5 - &lt;15 mg) (N, %) 389 22.7% 334 19.5% 0.041 High average daily dose (15 mg or more) (N, %) 643 37.6% 497 29.1% &lt;0.001 Patients with an opioid prescription (N, % ) 901 52.7% 861 50.4% 0.341 Weak opioids 356 20.8% 312 18.2% 0.089 Strong opioids 699 40.9% 695 40.6% 0.915 Acute Opioid Use 538 59.7% 486 56.4% 0.165 Chronic opioid use 363 40.3% 375 43.6% 0.165 Conclusion: These results suggest that a strikingly high proportion of patients with SLE are treated with corticosteroids to control the disease and opioid therapy to manage chronic pain. While there was no change in opioid use, corticosteroid use decreased following initiation of belimumab. References: [1]Chen SK, Feldman CH, Brill G, et al. Use of prescription opioids among patients with rheumatic diseases compared to patients with hypertension in the USA: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ 2019;9:e027495 Disclosure of Interests: : Julie Birt Shareholder of: Eli Lilly and Company, Employee of: Eli Lilly and Company, Jianmin Wu Shareholder of: Eli Lilly and Company, Employee of: Eli Lilly and Company, Kirstin Griffing Shareholder of: Eli Lilly and Company, Employee of: Eli Lilly and Company, Natalia Bello Vega Shareholder of: Eli Lilly and Company, Employee of: Eli Lilly and Company, Nicole Princic Employee of: I work for IBM Watson Health who was paid by Eli Lilly who funded this research., Isabelle Winer Employee of: I work for IBM Watson Health who was paid by Eli Lilly who funded this research., Carolyn Lew Employee of: I work for IBM Watson Health who was paid by Eli Lilly who funded this research., Karen Costenbader Grant/research support from: Merck, Consultant of: Astra-Zeneca