They also looked at biological DMARDs such as abatacept, made by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. under the brand name Orencia; adalimumab, sold by Abbott Laboratories as Humira; anakinra or Kineret, made by Amgen Inc ; etanercept, sold by Amgen under the brand name Enbrel; infliximab, sold by Johnson & Johnson under the Remicade brand name; and rituximab, marketed by Genentech Inc and Biogen Idec Inc under the Rituxan and MabThera brand names.
The drugs generated sales of nearly $10 billion in 2006.
"Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful, degenerative disease that affects people of all ages and can profoundly impact quality of life," AHRQ Director Dr. Carolyn Clancy said in a statement.
"This report establishes a clear, unbiased summary of what is known about current treatments. It also identifies areas where more research is needed."
