ABSTRACT
AIMS: Non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (NCFB) is a chronic progressive respiratory disorder occurring at a rate ranging from 4.2 to 278.1 cases per 100,000 persons, depending on age, in the United States. For many patients with NCFB, the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) makes treatment more complicated and typically has worse outcomes. Management of NCFB can be challenging, warranting a better understanding of the burden of illness for NCFB, treatments applied, healthcare resources used, and subsequent treatment costs. Comparing patients diagnosed with exacerbated NCFB, with or without PA on antibiotic utilization, treatments, and healthcare resources utilization and costs was the purpose of this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of commercial claims from IQVIA's PharMetrics Plus database (January 1,2006-December 31, 2020). Study patients with a diagnosis of NCFB were stratified into two groups based on the presence or absence of PA, then followed to identify demographic characteristics, comorbid conditions, antibiotic treatment regimen prescribed, healthcare resources utilized, and costs of care. RESULTS: The results showed that patients with exacerbated NCFB who were PA+ had significantly more oral antibiotic fills per patient per year, more inpatient admissions with a longer length of stay, and more outpatient encounters than those who were PA-. For costs, PA+ patients also had significantly greater total healthcare costs per patient when compared to those who were PA-. CONCLUSION: Exacerbated NCFB with PA+ was associated with increased antibiotic usage, greater resource utilization, and increased costs. The major contributor to the cost differences was the use of inpatient services. Treatment strategies aimed at reducing the need for inpatient treatment could lessen the disparities observed in patients with NCFB.
Subject(s)
Anti-Bacterial Agents , Bronchiectasis , Health Resources , Pseudomonas Infections , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Humans , Bronchiectasis/economics , Bronchiectasis/drug therapy , Female , Retrospective Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Anti-Bacterial Agents/economics , Pseudomonas Infections/drug therapy , Pseudomonas Infections/economics , Adult , United States , Health Resources/statistics & numerical data , Health Resources/economics , Aged , Insurance Claim Review , Comorbidity , Length of Stay/economics , Health Expenditures/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
DISCLOSURES: No funding was received for the writing of this commentary. The author has nothing to disclose.
Subject(s)
Advisory Committees , Alzheimer Disease , Patient Participation , Academies and Institutes , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use , Health Services Accessibility , Health Status Disparities , HumansABSTRACT
Composite renal end points and end stage renal disease (ESRD) are frequently included as prespecified secondary end points in the cardiovascular outcomes trials (CVOTs) of diabetes medications. We examined the heterogeneity in the definitions of composite renal end point and ESRD in CVOTs. Five criteria (macroalbuminuria, doubling of serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate [GFR], ESRD and renal death), were considered for the renal composite end point across the trials. Only three of the 12 trials included all five criteria, whereas the other trials included different combinations of four, three and two criteria. ESRD definition also showed considerable heterogeneity across the trials. Heterogeneity exists in the definitions of renal composite and ESRD end points in CVOTs making it challenging to assess comparative efficacy of the active treatments for reimbursement purposes.
Subject(s)
Cardiovascular Diseases , Cardiovascular System , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Kidney Failure, Chronic , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications , Glomerular Filtration Rate , Humans , Kidney , Kidney Failure, Chronic/therapyABSTRACT
DISCLOSURES: No funding supported the writing of this commentary. The authors have nothing to disclose.
Subject(s)
Migraine Disorders , Pyridines , Benzamides , Humans , Piperidines , PyrrolesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hyperlipidemia (HLD) in CML patients initiating therapy with dasatinib or nilotinib. METHODS: Retrospective study using MarketScan claims from January 2006 to December 2014. The first analysis evaluated occurrence of T2DM, defined as ≥2 claims with a T2DM ICD-9 code or 1 diagnosis claim and an antidiabetic medication. The second analysis evaluated occurrence of HLD, defined as ≥2 claims with an HLD ICD-9 code, or 1 diagnosis claim and an anti-HLD medication. Incidence rates were computed as number of events divided by sum of person years (PY) at risk for all subjects. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for T2DM or HLD. RESULTS: There were 2004 and 1280 patients who met the criteria for the T2DM analysis (n = 1272 dasatinib, n = 732 nilotinib) and HLD analysis (n = 845 dasatinib, n = 435 nilotinib). The incidence rate of T2DM was 40.4 per 1000 PY (95% CI: 27.60, 56.98) for nilotinib and 17.6 per 1000 PY (95% CI: 11.14, 26.38) for dasatinib. HR for occurrence of T2DM was 2.77 (95% CI: 1.58, 4.86), indicating that patients on nilotinib had a significantly higher adjusted risk for incident T2DM. The incidence rate of HLD was 74.6 per 1000 PY (95% CI: 50.70, 105.94) for nilotinib and 46.4 per 1000 PY (95% CI: 33.00, 63.45) for dasatinib. HR for occurrence of HLD was 1.75 (95% CI: 1.07, 2.87) indicating that patients on nilotinib had a significantly higher adjusted risk for incident HLD. CONCLUSIONS: Patients receiving nilotinib had significantly higher rates of incident T2DM or HLD than patients on dasatinib.
Subject(s)
Dasatinib , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology , Hyperlipidemias/epidemiology , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive , Pyrimidines , Adult , Aged , Correlation of Data , Dasatinib/administration & dosage , Dasatinib/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Incidence , Insurance Claim Review , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy , Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Proportional Hazards Models , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Protein Kinase Inhibitors/adverse effects , Pyrimidines/administration & dosage , Pyrimidines/adverse effects , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Fingolimod, an oral immunomodulatory therapy approved to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) is contraindicated in patients with certain cardiac conditions, yet the frequency of these conditions in patients with MS is not known. This study assessed the frequency and economic impact of cardiac conditions among hospitalizations of patients with MS. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and economic impact of selected comorbid cardiac conditions among hospitalizations of patients with a diagnosis of MS. METHODS: This was a retrospective, discharge-level cohort study of hospital discharge data from 2006-2010. The frequencies of cardiac conditions of interest (based on contraindications to fingolimod in the prescribing information) were reported among all discharges with a diagnosis of MS. Two cohorts were defined: (1) MS with cardiac condition of interest and (2) MS with no cardiac condition of interest. The mean adjusted cost per discharge and incremental cost per hospital day were reported. RESULTS: Among 136,542 discharges with a diagnosis of MS, 9.2% (n = 12,504) had a comorbid cardiac condition of interest based on contraindications to fingolimod in the prescribing information. Heart failure (59.4%), myocardial infarction (17.2%), and occlusion of cerebral arteries (12.4%) were the most common cardiac conditions. The mean adjusted cost per discharge was significantly higher for the MS with cardiac condition cohort compared with the MS with no cardiac condition cohort ($17,623 vs. $11,663, P less than 0.0001). The incremental cost per hospital day was $6,479 for the MS with cardiac condition cohort. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of comorbid cardiac conditions among hospital discharges in patients with MS is substantial and associated with higher hospitalization costs. Health plans should give consideration to the overlapping presence of these diseases when determining coverage criteria for immunomodulatory therapies and designing clinical programs for MS.
Subject(s)
Heart Diseases/economics , Heart Diseases/epidemiology , Hospitalization/economics , Multiple Sclerosis/economics , Female , Fingolimod Hydrochloride , Health Care Costs , Heart Diseases/chemically induced , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Multiple Sclerosis/drug therapy , Propylene Glycols/economics , Propylene Glycols/therapeutic use , Retrospective Studies , Sphingosine/analogs & derivatives , Sphingosine/economics , Sphingosine/therapeutic useABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The impact of pharmacist management of patients with diabetes mellitus enrolled in a rural free clinic was evaluated. METHODS: Data from 95 patients continuously enrolled in a new pharmacist service were analyzed over 24 months. Patients were at least 18 years old, qualified for free care on the basis of income or insurance status, and had a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus upon clinic entry. Under a collaborative agreement, pharmacists educated patients on diabetes, counseled patients on lifestyle modifications, assessed appropriateness of drug therapy, and managed drug therapy for diabetes and associated comorbid conditions. Clinical impact was measured by changes from baseline glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) levels, blood pressure, and lipid levels over a 24-month period. Using published cost estimates, the economic impact of the clinic was calculated based on expected savings for each patient who had a decrease of ≥1% in HbA(1c) value. RESULTS: Significant reductions from baseline in HbA1c values (p < 0.0001), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.0011), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.0015), low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.0001), and triglyceride levels (p = 0.0001) were achieved in clinic patients. Based on an expected savings of $1,118 per patient who had a decrease of >1% in HbA(1c) value (n = 67), the pharmacist service was estimated to provide a savings of $74,906 per year. CONCLUSION: Pharmacist management of patients with type 2 diabetes significantly influenced clinical and economic outcomes in an uninsured population living in a rural area with few health care resources.
Subject(s)
Ambulatory Care Facilities/economics , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/economics , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy , Pharmacists/economics , Poverty Areas , Rural Health Services/economics , Adult , Aged , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology , Disease Management , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , South Carolina/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: With the addition of new agents for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) (e.g., fingolimod), there is a need to evaluate the relative value of newer therapies in terms of cost and effectiveness, given healthcare resource constraints in the United States. OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness of natalizumab vs fingolimod in patients with relapsing MS. METHODS: A decision analytic model was developed to estimate the incremental cost per relapse avoided of natalizumab and fingolimod from a US managed care payer perspective. Two-year costs of treating patients with MS included drug acquisition costs, administration and monitoring costs, and costs of treating MS relapses. Effectiveness was measured in terms of MS relapses avoided (data from AFFIRM and FREEDOMS trials). One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess uncertainty. RESULTS: Mean 2-year estimated treatment costs were $86,461 (natalizumab) and $98,748 (fingolimod). Patients receiving natalizumab had a mean of 0.74 relapses avoided per 2 years vs 0.59 for fingolimod. Natalizumab dominated fingolimod in the incremental cost-effectiveness analysis, as it was less costly and more effective in reducing relapses. One-way sensitivity analysis showed the results of the model were robust to changes in drug acquisition costs, administration costs, and costs of treating MS relapses. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed natalizumab was cost-effective 95.1% of the time, at a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of $0 per relapse avoided, increasing to 96.3% of the time at a WTP threshold of $50,000 per relapse avoided. LIMITATIONS: Absence of data from direct head-to-head studies comparing natalizumab and fingolimod, use of relapse rate reduction rather than sustained disability progression as primary model outcome, assumption of 100% adherence to MS treatment, and not capturing adverse event costs in the model. CONCLUSIONS: Natalizumab dominates fingolimod in terms of incremental cost per relapse avoided, as it is less costly and more effective.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/economics , Health Care Costs/trends , Immunosuppressive Agents/economics , Multiple Sclerosis/drug therapy , Multiple Sclerosis/prevention & control , Propylene Glycols/economics , Sphingosine/analogs & derivatives , Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use , Cost-Benefit Analysis , Fingolimod Hydrochloride , Humans , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Natalizumab , Propylene Glycols/therapeutic use , Recurrence , Sphingosine/economics , Sphingosine/therapeutic use , United StatesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Infliximab dosing for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is based on patient weight and treatment response. Understanding dosing patterns may provide insight into treatment response and predictability of treatment cost. The purpose of this medical record review was to assess dose and dose frequency of infliximab maintenance treatment in patients with IBD using patient chart data. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted at 14 community gastroenterology clinics (GI clinics). Patients were aged ≥18 years, diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC), and had a first infliximab administration (index date) between January 1, 2005 and September 30, 2007. At least 24 months of continuous data availability were required with dosing data collected for 12 months after initiation of infliximab therapy. Patients with biologic use and/or participation in an IBD clinical trial within 12 months before the index date were excluded. RESULTS: Charts from 182 CD patients and 86 UC patients were analyzed. About half of the patients were female. Over 90% of patients initiated treatment with infliximab 5 mg/kg. Among CD patients and UC patients, respectively, 79% and 61% continued receiving this dose for maintenance therapy at stable intervals. LIMITATIONS: This retrospective descriptive study is limited by the type and quantity of information available in patient charts from 14 GI clinics during the first year of infliximab treatment. Further, non-anti-tumor necrosis factor medication data were intermittently collected in some charts and, therefore, did not allow for analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Weight-based dosing and, presumably, patient response enabled providers to find the effective infliximab dose for IBD patients. The maintenance dose and administration frequency remained stable during the initial year.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage , Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/drug therapy , Adult , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Drug Administration Schedule , Female , Humans , Infliximab , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , United StatesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: No evidence-based treatment guidelines are currently available for the treatment of problem bleedings in patients with hemophilia who develop clotting factor inhibitors. A treatment algorithm was developed previously to help providers optimize the approach to the treatment of this patient population. The algorithm provides the specific intervals between treatments; however, it does not specify dosing recommendations and does not offer insights into the likelihood of outcome improvements at each time interval. OBJECTIVE: To develop a model to analyze the impact on patient outcomes and costs of adhering to a current treatment algorithm for the 2 available clotting therapies to treat bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia who develop clotting factor inhibitors. METHODS: A simulation model was developed using a modified Delphi method approach based on a consensus opinion of an expert panel. The model was used to analyze the impact of following the available treatment algorithm on patient outcomes and costs. Treatment patterns and the likelihood of a resolved bleeding episode associated with following the treatment algorithm (ie, adherence) were compared with not following the algorithm (ie, nonadherence). This model assumed 2 scenarios in which treatment was initiated with each of the 2 bypassing agents currently available, and clinical and economic outcomes were mapped for adhering to and not adhering to the consensus treatment algorithm. RESULTS: The simulation model shows that adhering to the treatment algorithm would result in 74.4% of patients improving at 72 hours compared with only 56.7% of patients when not adhering to the algorithm. According to this model, regardless of the bypassing agent used at initiation, adherence to the treatment algorithm would result in fewer patients requiring combined sequential therapy with the 2 bypassing agents for 3 days. In addition, using this analytic model, reducing the percentage of patients with hemophilia who required combined sequential therapy by 17.6% resulted in an average cost-savings of $16,305 per patient. CONCLUSION: Adherence to an algorithm in which treatment is altered at regular intervals based on a patient's clinical response has the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce the number of nonresponsive patients requiring sequential therapy in patients with hemophilia who have clotting factor inhibitors and are experiencing problem bleeding episodes. >Adherence to the algorithm would also result in reduced costs to patients and payers.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Patients undergoing general surgical procedures are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Compliance rates with established guidelines for VTE thromboprophylaxis in patients at moderate-to-high risk are notably low. Recent literature has demonstrated that fondaparinux is associated with lower costs and fewer VTEs than enoxaparin in patients undergoing major orthopedic surgery (MOS), but data are limited in patients undergoing general surgery. This study was conducted to evaluate the cost implications and relative real-world effectiveness of fondaparinux vs. enoxaparin in general surgery patients. METHODS: Data were obtained from inpatient billing records from over 500 hospitals using Premier's Perspective Comparative Database. Patients hospitalized for general surgery between July 1, 2003 and January 31, 2006 were eligible for inclusion. Eligible patients were included if they received fondaparinux or enoxaparin after their general surgery date. Patients were excluded if they received both anticoagulants on their first day of therapy, were <18 years of age on the surgery date, or did not have data 6 months prior and 1 month post hospitalization. Included patients were stratified into two cohorts based on their first anticoagulant, fondaparinux or enoxaparin. Patients were matched in each group on 1:1 case-control matching based on propensity scores. RESULTS: A total of 5364 patients were included (n = 2682 for each cohort) from 326 unique hospitals. Average total costs per patient for the fondaparinux group were significantly lower than the enoxaparin group ($15 156 vs. 17 741, p < 0.0001). Patients receiving fondaparinux were significantly less likely to experience a VTE (2.80 vs. 3.77%, p = 0.046, a 35% relative risk reduction). No significant differences in bleeding events between the cohorts were observed (p = 0.6047), and no significant differences in all-cause inpatient death were noted (p = 0.3673). CONCLUSION: Fondaparinux was associated with significantly lower costs and fewer VTEs compared to enoxaparin without an increase in bleed rates or all-cause inpatient mortality. The findings from this study are limited by the retrospective study design and should only be generalized to a similar patient population.
Subject(s)
Enoxaparin/economics , Enoxaparin/therapeutic use , Polysaccharides/economics , Polysaccharides/therapeutic use , Postoperative Complications/prevention & control , Venous Thromboembolism/prevention & control , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anticoagulants/economics , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Case-Control Studies , Cohort Studies , Female , Fondaparinux , Humans , Incidence , Male , Middle Aged , Postoperative Complications/economics , Surgical Procedures, Operative/adverse effects , Venous Thromboembolism/economics , Venous Thromboembolism/epidemiology , Venous Thromboembolism/etiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the burden of major bleed in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS) receiving injectable anticoagulation from the hospital perspective. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of inpatient medical and pharmacy data from the Premier Perspective Comparative Database between 1/1/2003 and 3/31/2006. Hospitalized patients aged >or=18 years with a diagnosis of UA or NSTEMI who received an injectable anticoagulant agent during the same hospital stay were stratified into two cohorts: those who experienced a major bleed during hospitalization and those who did not, defined by the presence of >or=1 pre-specified ICD-9 codes. Length of hospital stay (LOS), inpatient mortality, 30-day readmissions, and hospitalization costs over 30 days were assessed between the cohorts using statistical models to control for covariates which may have impacted the outcomes. RESULTS: Patients with a major bleed had significantly longer length of stay (13.8 days vs 5.6 days), higher readmission rates (31.3% vs 14.7%), and increased all-cause mortality (15.0% vs 4.5%) compared with patients who did not bleed. After controlling for covariates, major bleeding was significantly associated with increased length of stay, readmission rate, and mortality. Adjusted costs were $13,856 higher on average for patients with a major bleed (95% CI: $13,828-$18,884; p < 0.0001). Subanalyses conducted on patients aged >or=65 years and those undergoing invasive procedures demonstrated higher occurrence of bleed than the general population and a similar impact on outcomes assessed. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the study showed that patients with UA or NSTEMI who experience a major bleed have significantly longer hospital stays, higher readmission rates, increased costs, and increased mortality than those without a major bleed. These data emphasize the importance of considering the safety profile in context of the efficacy of the recommended agents. The findings from this study are limited by the retrospective study design and certain endpoints, such as readmissions, may have been underreported.
Subject(s)
Acute Coronary Syndrome/complications , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Hemorrhage/complications , Hospitalization , Acute Coronary Syndrome/drug therapy , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anticoagulants/administration & dosage , Female , Humans , Length of Stay , Male , Middle Aged , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Multiple clinical studies have shown postdischarge anticoagulation to be beneficial following major orthopedic surgery (MOS); however, outpatient prophylaxis is not widely practiced. OBJECTIVE: To quantify, from a third-party payer perspective, real-world clinical and economic outcomes for patients receiving injectable or oral anticoagulation as prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) following discharge after MOS. METHODS: A retrospective database analysis was conducted using outpatient medical and pharmacy data from the PharMetrics Patient-Centric Database (January 1, 2002, to March 31, 2006). Patients greater than 18 years of age with 9 months of continuous eligibility who received an anticoagulant in the outpatient setting following MOS were eligible. Patients were stratified into 2 cohorts: injectable (dalteparin, enoxaparin, fondaparinux) and oral (warfarin), and were matched 1:1 on demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 12,724 patients were included (injectable, 6362; oral, 6362). At 90 days, patients receiving oral anticoagulation were 20% more likely to experience a VTE than were those receiving an injectable agent (7.4% vs 6.3%; p = 0.02, OR 1.18; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.36). No significant differences in bleeding were observed (<0.4%). The average adjusted total 6-month costs were significantly (p < 0.001) higher for the oral versus injectable cohort ($18,039 vs $16,429). Medical costs in the oral cohort offset the higher pharmacy costs in the injectable cohort. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the risk of VTE extends to the outpatient setting following MOS, even with postdischarge anticoagulation. Injectable agents used in the outpatient setting may result in fewer clinical VTEs without increasing the risk for major bleeding. These findings support the data from controlled clinical studies and expand the evidence to the real-world setting. Despite higher pharmacy acquisition costs for injectable anticoagulants, injectable agents may offer significant per patient savings to third party payers.
Subject(s)
Anticoagulants/administration & dosage , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Orthopedic Procedures/adverse effects , Administration, Oral , Anticoagulants/economics , Cohort Studies , Female , Health Care Costs , Humans , Injections , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a known complication of major orthopedic surgery (MOS) with important clinical and economic consequences. Recently published orthopedic guidelines have focused on prevention of pulmonary embolism as a primary outcome, but deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurrence should not be readily dismissed. OBJECTIVE: To describe the burden of DVT following hospital discharge for MOS by assessing the impact of DVT on costs and resource utilization from the third-party payer perspective. METHODS: Retrospective analysis used outpatient medical and pharmacy data from the PharMetrics Patient-Centric Database (January 1, 2002-March 31, 2006). Patients 18 years of age or older with a record of MOS were eligible for inclusion. Included patients were stratified based on the presence of a DVT during the first month after hospital discharge. Characteristics of the samples were described. The impact of DVT on total 6-month costs and resource utilization (readmissions, outpatient, emergency department visits) was assessed through statistical models. RESULTS: Of the 32,899 patients in the analysis, 1221 (3.71%) had a record of DVT during the first month following discharge for MOS. Compared with patients who did not develop DVT, patients who developed DVT postdischarge were slightly older (56.5 vs 55.8 y; p = 0.0127), had a higher occurrence of prior VTE (26.2% vs 3.4%; p < 0.0001), and had undergone recent surgical procedures other than MOS (73.0% vs 69.6%; p = 0.0116). After controlling for potential confounders, DVT was associated with a 22% and 74% increase in the average number of expected outpatient and emergency department visits, respectively, during the 6-month postdischarge period but did not significantly impact the number of readmissions. Furthermore, total 6-month costs were significantly higher for patients who developed DVT, with an incremental increase of over $2000. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of DVT following hospital discharge for MOS is substantial. Specifically, DVT increases total costs and outpatient and emergency department visits.
Subject(s)
Orthopedic Procedures/adverse effects , Venous Thrombosis/etiology , Aged , Anticoagulants/economics , Anticoagulants/therapeutic use , Female , Guidelines as Topic , Health Care Costs , Humans , Male , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Outpatients , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Venous Thrombosis/drug therapy , Venous Thrombosis/economics , Venous Thrombosis/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Changes in the healthcare system, population demographics, and treatment alternatives have contributed to an emerging awareness of glaucoma among managed care organizations. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to thwarting the personal and economic consequences of end-stage glaucoma. Despite recognition of the need for early intervention and therapy, the literature suggests a great need still exists for improvements in lowering intraocular pressure, managing appropriate follow-up, and improving adherence to current glaucoma medication regimens. As the elderly population continues to increase, these issues will intensify and present further problems for the healthcare system. The purpose of this introductory manuscript is to highlight the literature on the clinical and economic impact of glaucoma and its importance to the managed care community. The remainder of the supplement will focus on the current management of glaucoma and the potential role of neuroprotection in this patient population.
Subject(s)
Glaucoma/prevention & control , Managed Care Programs , Aged , Glaucoma/economics , Health Care Costs , Humans , Mass Screening , Middle Aged , Patient Compliance , Practice Guidelines as Topic , United StatesABSTRACT
Insomnia affects a large percentage of the population, particularly the elderly. Literature reports varying estimates of prevalence, a variation that relates to the lack of definition and consistency in diagnostic criteria. Primary insomnia (not caused by known physical/mental conditions) responds to pharmacologic therapy, while secondary insomnia(resulting from other illnesses, medications, or sleep disorders) responds to pharmacologic and psychologic treatments (cognitive therapy, relaxation techniques, stimulus control). Use of certain agents in the elderly and patients with abuse/addiction potential is a concern. Medicare Part D does not cover benzodiazepines (classified as controlled substances). Nonprescription agents are affordable but have sedation and anticholinergic side effects. Medication use should be considered a possible contributing factor. Insomnia patients experience significantly more limited activity and higher total health services than those without insomnia. Annual costs are between $92.5 billion and $107.5 billion. A standard definition and better pathways to recognize and treat insomnia are needed.
Subject(s)
Cost of Illness , Managed Care Programs , Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/epidemiology , Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/therapy , Age Distribution , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Benzodiazepines/therapeutic use , Comorbidity , Female , Histamine H1 Antagonists/therapeutic use , Humans , Hypnotics and Sedatives/therapeutic use , Male , Middle Aged , Practice Guidelines as Topic , Prevalence , Receptors, Melatonin/agonists , Sex Distribution , Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/classification , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Recent research into the pathophysiology of insomnia has brought a shift in the approach to treatment. Insomnia rarely occurs in isolation and is typically comorbid with other conditions. Rather than simply treating the primary disorder, whereby symptoms of insomnia may go unaddressed, now there is a push to acknowledge the existence of chronic insomnia as a disorder that itself merits treatment. This recognition is due to the identification of pathophysiologic changes and associated morbidity, which can be substantial. Insomnia patients have increased risk for psychiatric disorders, especially depression, anxiety, decreased quality of life, increased healthcare utilization and costs, drug/alcohol abuse, decreased occupational performance, and increased falls/accidents. Current management patterns explore non-nightly or discontinuous hypnotic treatment - non-nightly flexible, non-nightly semiflexible, non-nightly fixed, and flexible timing - which deviates from past trends of continuous dosing with hypnotics. These trends reflect a change from considering insomnia a symptom to treating insomnia as a disorder.
Subject(s)
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/physiopathology , Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/therapy , Benzodiazepines/therapeutic use , Cognitive Behavioral Therapy , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Humans , Hypnotics and Sedatives/therapeutic use , Managed Care Programs , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent in adults and often coexist with depression. Patients with anxiety commonly present to their primary care doctors, or in other medical settings, reflecting a high utilization of medical services. Furthermore, some patients initially complain of only somatic symptoms before they are ultimately diagnosed with a primary anxiety disorder. Approaches to management include both nondrug and drug treatments, and pharmacotherapy has substantial evidence-based support for efficacy. Of the drugs available for use, an antidepressant, and in particular a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, is the preferred initial treatment for most patients. This choice is based on the drug's proven efficacy, favorable adverse event profile, relative safety in overdose, and better management of comorbid depression. The treatment of anxiety disorders has multiple potential benefits in systems of managed care. These include the ability to maintain remission or prevent relapse, a decrease in comorbid depression, promotion of adherence with improvement in quality of life, and reduction in claims for medical care. This overview of the anxiety disorders sets the stage for subsequent discussions of managed care datasets highlighting the opportunities for making informed decisions about access to care and treatment that can lead to economic benefits, especially in light of the Medicare Modernization Act.