Table 4

Comparison of effectiveness algorithm versus effectiveness gold standard for biologic and nonbiologic disease-modifying agent in rheumatic disease** treatments

Effectiveness gold standard***

Met effectiveness algorithm*

Yes

No

Total

PPV (95% CI)

NPV (95% CI)

Yes

60

19

79 (26%)

76% (71 to 81)

No

23

203

226 (74%)

90% (88 to 92)

Total

83 (27%)

222 (73%)

305 (100%)

Se = 72%

(95% CI = 67 to 77)

Sp = 91%

(95% CI = 89 to 93)

CI: confidence Interval; DMARD: disease-modifying; NPV: negative predictive value; PPV: positive predictive value; Se: sensitivity; Sp: specificity. *The components of the effectiveness algorithm are given in Table 1. **DMARDs include hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide and sulfasalazine. ***Defined as DAS28 ≤ 3.2 or DAS28 improvement by > 1.2 units and high adherence (for example, ≥ 80%) to the biologic and/or DMARD started on the index date.

Curtis et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2011 13:R155   doi:10.1186/ar3471