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To evaluate the long-term effects of bimekizumab on health status, work productivity, and cost savings in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

January 27, 2026Rheumatology Advances in Practice0 citationsOpen Access

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Sustained improvements in health status and work productivity with bimekizumab in psoriatic arthritis: 2 year results from two phase 3 studies

WTWilliam TillettRoyal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases LGLaure GossecInserm MHM Elaine HusniCleveland Clinic

Key Points

To evaluate the long-term effects of bimekizumab on health status, work productivity, and cost savings in patients with psoriatic arthritis.
Two phase 3 studies (BE OPTIMAL and BE COMPLETE) evaluated bimekizumab 160 mg every 4 weeks.
Patients included were either bDMARD-naïve or had inadequate response/intolerance to TNFi.
Health status and work productivity were assessed at Year 2 using specific questionnaires.
Indirect cost savings were estimated based on improvements in work productivity and average wages.
Mean EQ-5D-3L scores improved by 26.4%-35.0% from baseline and sustained to Year 2.
51.1%-64.8% of patients achieved minimal clinically important improvements in work impairment by Year 1, with 44.3%-51.6% sustaining this at Year 2.
Indirect cost savings in Europe were sustained from Year 1 ($7,965–$11,517) to Year 2 ($7,789–$12,018).
Similar trends in cost savings were observed in the United States and Japan.

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To assess the 2-year impact of bimekizumab on health status, work productivity, and indirect cost savings in patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Methods BE OPTIMAL (NCT03895203; biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug bDMARD-naïve) and BE COMPLETE (NCT03896581; tumor necrosis factor inhibitor inadequate response/intolerance TNFi-IR) assessed subcutaneous bimekizumab 160 mg every 4 weeks. BE OPTIMAL Week52/BE COMPLETE Week16 completers could enter BE VITAL (NCT04009499; open-label extension), where all patients received bimekizumab. Outcomes reported for placebo- and bimekizumab-randomized patients to Year2: changes in health status (EQ-5D-3L) and work productivity (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire—Specific Health Problem v2.0 WPAI-SHP), associations between disease control criteria and WPAI-SHP, annualized indirect cost savings (estimated by multiplying 2022 average wages by improvements in overall work impairment). Missing data imputed using multiple (continuous) or non-responder (binary) imputation. Results Among 712 bDMARD-naïve and 400 TNFi-IR patients, improvements from baseline in mean EQ-5D-3L visual analogue scale scores were sustained to Year2, with scores improving by 26.4–35.0%. Minimal clinically important difference in overall work impairment was achieved by 51.1%-64.8% patients at Year1, and this was largely sustained to Year2 (44.3%-51.6%). Greatest work productivity improvements were observed in patients who achieved stringent disease control across both musculoskeletal and skin domains. In Europe, indirect cost savings (USD) at Year1 (7,965–11,517) were sustained to Year2 (7,789–12,018); trends were similar in the United States and Japan. Conclusion Bimekizumab treatment resulted in sustained improvements in health status and work productivity to Year2, with substantial potential for long-term indirect cost savings, regardless of prior TNFi experience.

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Sustained improvements in health status and work productivity with bimekizumab in psoriatic arthritis: 2 year results from two phase 3 studies

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