Stakeholder Insight: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Imprecise segmentation complicates treatment algorithms

Introduction Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disorder, characterized by unpredictable flares and remissions. Affected areas can include the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels and the brain. There are currently only three medications approved for the treatment of lupus; hydroxychloroquine, aspirin, and prednisone, highlighting the significant unmet need. Scope Analysis of the lupus market based on a survey of 180 rheumatologists supported by key opinion leader interviews Detailed overview of epidemiology in lupus benchmarked against physician perception Patient segmentation by both disease severity and organ involvement (multiple organ disease, skin, joints, blood, CNS, and kidney) Assessment of treatment trends and outcome measures Highlights Rheumatologists provide the long-term management for two-thirds of lupus patients. 40% of patients present to a primary care physician, and most are referred to a rheumatologist for diagnosis. Long-term care is also linked to the major organ involved, for example 10% of patients receive long term management from a nephrologist. The development of effective, steroid-sparing therapies is the highest priority for pharmaceutical companies to address. Biologics will play a prominent therapeutic role over the next few years. Current biologic use by involvement varies between 2% and 10%, whilst steroid uptake varies between 37% and 69%. Four major indices are predominantly used, creating a hindrance to the application of clinical trial data, and one third of rheumatologists actually use more than one index in clinical practice. The extent of organ damage was considered the most important issue of disease activity assessment, followed by antibody and inflammatory marker levels. Reasons to Purchase Gain competitive advantage with one of the most extensive primary research reports available in lupus, with data from 180 prescribing rheumatologists Identify with prescribers more effectively, through an understanding of referral patterns based on data-rich treatment numbers Validate new product forecasting based on diagnosis rates and treatment by patient segmentation and drug therapy class

Additional Information

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disorder, characterized by unpredictable flares and remissions. Affected areas can include the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels and the brain. There are currently only three medications approved for the treatment of lupus; hydroxychloroquine, aspirin, and prednisone, highlighting the significant unmet need.