Costs and healthcare utilisation of patients with chronic kidney disease in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Data about the impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on health care costs in Spain are scarce This study was aimed to evaluate cumulative costs and healthcare utilisation in CKD in Spain. METHODS: Observational, retrospective, population-based study, which included adults who received care for CKD between 2015 and 2019. Healthcare and medication costs were summarized on a yearly basis starting from the index date (1st January 2015), and then cumulatively until 2019. RESULTS: We identified 44,214 patients with CKD (year 2015: age 76.4 ± 14.3 years, 49.0% women, albumin-to-creatinine ratio 362.9 ± 176.8 mg/g, estimated glomerular filtration rate 48.7 ± 13.2 mL/min/1.73 m2). During the 2015-2019 period, cumulative CKD associated costs reached 14,728.4 Euros, being cardiovascular disease hospitalizations, particularly due to heart failure and CKD, responsible for 77.1% of costs. Total medication cost accounted for 6.6% of the total cost. There was a progressive decrease in cardiovascular disease hospital costs per year (from 2741.1 Euros in 2015 to 1.971.7 Euros in 2019). This also occurred with cardiovascular and diabetic medication costs, as well as with the proportion of hospitalizations and mortality. Costs and healthcare resources use were higher in the DAPA-CKD like population, but also decreased over time. CONCLUSIONS: Between 2015 and 2019, costs of patients with CKD in Spain were high, with cardiovascular hospitalizations as the key determinant. Medication costs were responsible for only a small proportion of total CKD costs. Improving CKD management, particularly with the use of cardiovascular and renal protective medications may be helpful to reduce CKD burden.

Costs and healthcare utilisation of patients with heart failure in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Increasing the knowledge about heart failure (HF) costs and their determinants is important to ascertain how HF management can be optimized, leading to a significant decrease of HF costs. This study evaluated the cumulative costs and healthcare utilisation in HF patients in Spain. METHODS: Observational, retrospective, population-based study using BIG-PAC database, which included data from specialized and primary care of people ≥18 years, from seven autonomous communities in Spain, who received care for HF between 2015 and 2019. The healthcare and medication costs were summarized on a yearly basis starting from the index date (1st January 2015), and then cumulatively until 2019. RESULTS: We identified 17,163 patients with HF (year 2015: mean age 77.3 ± 11.8 years, 53.5% men, 51.7% systolic HF, 43.6% on NYHA functional class II). During the 2015-2019 period, total HF associated costs reached 15,373 Euros per person, being cardiovascular disease hospitalizations the most important determinant (75.8%), particularly HF hospitalizations (51.0%). Total medication cost accounted for 7.0% of the total cost. During this period, there was a progressive decrease of cardiovascular disease hospital costs per year (from 2834 Euros in 2015 to 2146 Euros in 2019, P < 0.001), as well as cardiovascular and diabetic medication costs. CONCLUSIONS: During the 2015-2019 period, costs of HF patients in Spain were substantial, being HF hospitalizations the most important determinant. Medication costs represented only a small proportion of total costs. Improving HF management, particularly through the use of drugs that reduce HF hospitalization may be helpful to reduce HF burden.

Maintenance Inhalers for Asthma and COPD in Spain.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe the use of pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs) in Spanish subjects in terms of sociodemographic, clinical, and functional characteristics in subjects with asthma or COPD on maintenance treatment with inhaled therapy. METHODS: This was a retrospective, descriptive, national, multi-center, and observational study using a database with 1.8 million patients from hospitals and primary care centers as a secondary information source. RESULTS: The sample included 24,102 subjects with asthma on maintenance therapy (26.0% with pMDI, 55% with DPI, and 19.0% with a combination of DPI + pMDI inhalers) and 12,858 subjects with COPD on maintenance therapy (26% with pMDI; 39% with DPI; and 35% with a combination of pMDI + DPI inhalers, mostly extemporary triple therapy). In proportion, subjects ≥ 75 y old used more pMDI than DPI, while younger subjects (40-64 y old) used more DPI. An inhalation chamber was prescribed in 51.0% of subjects with asthma and 47.2% of subjects with COPD treated with pMDI. The use of an inhalation chamber increases with the degree of air-flow limitation by disease and age. In subjects with comorbidities, pMDI inhaler use increased in those ≥ 75 y old for subjects with asthma and subjects with COPD. Switching from pMDI to DPI and vice versa was relatively common: 25% of subjects with asthma and 21.6% of subjects with COPD treated with pMDI had switched from DPI in the previous year. On the contrary, 14.1% and 11.4% of subjects with asthma and subjects with COPD, respectively, treated with DPI had switched from pMDI the last year. CONCLUSIONS: The use of pMDI or DPI can vary according to age, both in asthma and COPD. Switching from pMDI to DPI and vice versa is relatively common. Despite the availability of dual- and triple-therapy inhalers on the market, a considerable number of subjects were treated with multiple devices.

[Distribution of primary care expenditure according to sex and age group: a retrospective analysis]. / Distribución del gasto sanitario en atención primaria según edad y sexo: un análisis retrospectivo.

OBJECTIVE: To study the primary care expenditure per person and the weight of different health resources within sex and age groups. DESIGN: Cost analysis. Retrospective descriptive study. SETTING: 14 urban primary care centers (assigned population: 313,000). PARTICIPANTS: All patients who visited during 2008 (227,235). STUDY PERIOD: January to December 2008. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Age, sex, visits, laboratory, radiology and complementary tests and referrals to specialists were obtained from patient electronic files. Pharmacy expenditure was obtained from invoices sent to the national health system by pharmacists. Fixed/semi-fixed costs were distributed among visits and a mean cost/visit was obtained. Costs were assigned for laboratory (mean application cost), for radiology and complementary tests (rate per type of test) and for referrals (adjusted rate). Descriptive analysis of data (median, interquartile range and coefficient of variance). RESULTS: Median expenditure was 362 € (321 € for men and 396 € for women). For the up to 2 year-old group it was 410 €, for aged 15-44 203 € and 75 and above 1,255 €.). The up to 2 years old visits represented 81% of total cost while pharmacy was 8%, while for those aged 75 and above visits accounted for 21% of the total cost and pharmacy 63%. CONCLUSIONS: Expenditure in primary care is higher in women, although the greatest differences were observed with age. In older than 74 years the median expenditure was six-fold higher than that for 3-44 years old group. In pediatrics the main source of expenditure was visits, representing 80% of the total in up to 2 years old. From 45 years old, pharmacy was the main source of expenditure and in those older than 74 it represented over 60% of the total.

Risk of outcomes in a Spanish population with chronic kidney disease.

Objectives: To assess mortality and cardiovascular and renal outcomes among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (primary objective), with a particular focus on heart failure (HF) risk following diagnosis of CKD (secondary objective) in Spain. Methods: We conducted an observational study comprising cross-sectional and longitudinal retrospective analyses using secondary data from electronic health records. For the primary objective, adults with prevalent CKD [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 or ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2 with a urine albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR) ≥30 mg/g at the index date (1 January 2017)] were included. For the secondary objective, adults with incident CKD in 2017 were enrolled. Results: In the prevalent population, 46 786 patients with CKD without HF [75.8 ± 14.4 years, eGFR 51.4 ± 10.1 mL/min/1.73 m2; 75.1% on renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASis)] and 8391 with CKD and HF (79.4 ± 10.9 years, eGFR 46.4 ± 9.8 mL/min/1.73 m2) were included. In the prevalent population, the risk of all-cause death {hazard ratio [HR] 1.107 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.064-1.153]}, HF hospitalization [HR 1.439 (95% CI 1.387-1.493)] and UACR progression [HR 1.323 (95% CI 1.182-1.481)] was greater in those patients with CKD and HF versus CKD only. For the incident population, 1594 patients with CKD without HF and 727 with CKD and HF were included. Within 24 months from the CKD diagnosis (with/without HF at baseline), 6.5% of patients developed their first HF hospitalization. Although 60.7% were taking RASis, only 3.4% were at maximal doses and among diabetics, 1.3% were taking sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors. Conclusions: The presence of HF among CKD patients markedly increases the risk of outcomes. CKD patients have a high risk of HF, which could be partially related to insufficient treatment.

Epidemiology, clinical profile, management, and two-year risk complications among patients with chronic kidney disease in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiology, clinical profile, treatments, and to determine cardiovascular and renal outcomes after two years of follow-up in a contemporary chronic kidneay disease (CKD) population in Spain. This was also analyzed among the DAPA-CKD-like population (patients who met most inclusion criteria of DAPA-CKD trial). METHODS: Observational, retrospective, population-based study using BIG-PAC database. The CKD population was defined as patients ≥18 years, with at least one diagnostic code of CKD prior to the index date (January 1st, 2018). CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60mL/min/1.73m2 (CKD-EPI), or albuminuria >30mg/g. RESULTS: We identified 56,435 CKD patients after exclusions (76.4 years, 52.2% men, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio 390.8mg/g, eGFR 49.7mL/min/1.73m2). CKD prevalence was 4.91% and incidence 2.10 per 1000 patient-years. Regarding treatments, 69.2% were taking renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (only 4.2% at maximal doses) and 3.5% of diabetic patients SGLT-2 inhibitors. During the two years of follow-up, rates of heart failure, all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and CKD were 17.9, 12.1, 7.2, 6.3, and 5.9 events per 100 patient-years, respectively. During this period, 44% of patients were hospitalized, and 6.8% died during hospitalization. Cardiovascular outcomes were more common in the DAPA-CKD-like population. CONCLUSIONS: In Spain, CKD population is older and comorbidities, including diabetes and heart failure, are common. Cardiovascular and renal outcomes are frequent. There is room for improvement in CKD management, particularly through the use of drugs with proven cardiovascular and renal benefit.

Epidemiology, clinical profile, management, and two-year risk complications among patients with chronic kidney disease in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiology, clinical profile, treatments, and to determine cardiovascular and renal outcomes after two years of follow-up in a contemporary chronic kidneay disease (CKD) population in Spain. This was also analyzed among the DAPA-CKD-like population (patients who met most inclusion criteria of DAPA-CKD trial). METHODS: Observational, retrospective, population-based study using BIG-PAC database. The CKD population was defined as patients ≥18 years, with at least one diagnostic code of CKD prior to the index date (January 1st, 2018). CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60mL/min/1.73m2 (CKD-EPI), or albuminuria >30mg/g. RESULTS: We identified 56,435 CKD patients after exclusions (76.4 years, 52.2% men, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio 390.8mg/g, eGFR 49.7mL/min/1.73m2). CKD prevalence was 4.91% and incidence 2.10 per 1000 patient-years. Regarding treatments, 69.2% were taking renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (only 4.2% at maximal doses) and 3.5% of diabetic patients SGLT-2 inhibitors. During the two years of follow-up, rates of heart failure, all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and CKD were 17.9, 12.1, 7.2, 6.3, and 5.9 events per 100 patient-years, respectively. During this period, 44% of patients were hospitalized, and 6.8% died during hospitalization. Cardiovascular outcomes were more common in the DAPA-CKD-like population. CONCLUSIONS: In Spain, CKD population is older and comorbidities, including diabetes and heart failure, are common. Cardiovascular and renal outcomes are frequent. There is room for improvement in CKD management, particularly through the use of drugs with proven cardiovascular and renal benefit.

Metabolic syndrome in bipolar disorder: a cross-sectional assessment of a Health Management Organization database.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) included in a Health Management Organization (HMO) database. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis of the administrative claim database of Badalona Serveis Assistencials (BSA) was performed. All patients of either sex over 16 years of age and receiving treatment for BD for more than three weeks were included in the study group. The reference group comprised the rest of patients in the BSA database without BD. MS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III modified criteria and required fulfillment of at least three of the following five components: body mass index (BMI) >or=28.8 kg/m(2), triglycerides >or=150 mg/dL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol <40 mg/dL (males)/<50 mg/dL (females), blood pressure >or=130/85 mmHg, and fasting glucose >or=110 mg/dL. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and logistic regression models were applied. RESULTS: We identified 178 patients with BD out of 86,028 subjects (50.5% women; 45.5 +/- 17.8 years, mean +/- SD) included in the BSA database. MS prevalence was significantly higher in BD: 24.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 18.6-31.7] versus 14.4% (CI: 14.2-14.7) with no statistically significant differences between genders; age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.65 (1.11-2.44, p = 0.013). All MS components were higher in the BD group, particularly BMI >28.8 kg/m(2) [33.1% (26.3-40.6) versus 17.9% (17.7-18.2), adjusted OR = 2.05 (1.46-2.87, p < 0.001)], high triglyceride levels [23.0% (17.1-29.9) versus 11.3% (11.1-11.5), adjusted OR = 2.09 (1.45-3.02, p < 0.001)], and low HDL cholesterol levels [54.5% (46.9-62.0) versus 29.4% (29.1-29.7), adjusted OR = 2.77 (2.02-3.80, p < 0.001)]. Furthermore, patients with BD showed a significantly higher frequency of obesity [41.4% (32.3-50.9) versus 27.1% (26.6-27.5); adjusted OR = 1.83 (1.24-2.68, p = 0.002)]. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the general population managed by the BSA, the prevalence of MS was significantly higher in patients with BD, mainly due to a higher prevalence of obesity, high triglyceride levels, and low HDL cholesterol levels. These findings strongly support the development of health policies addressing this problem in BD patients.

Variability in prescription drug expenditures explained by adjusted clinical groups (ACG) case-mix: a cross-sectional study of patient electronic records in primary care.

BACKGROUND: In view of rapidly increasing prescription costs, case-mix adjustment should be considered for effective control of costs. We have estimated the variability in pharmacy costs explained by ACG in centers using patient electronic records, profiled centers and physicians and analyzed the correlation between cost and quality of prescription. METHODS: We analyzed 65,630 patient records attending five primary care centers in Spain during 2005. Variables explored were age, gender, registered diagnosed episodes of care during 2005, total cost of prescriptions, physician and center. One ACG was assigned to each patient with ACG case-mix software version 7.1. In a two-part model, logistic regression was used to explain the incurrence of drug expenditure at the first stage and a linear mixed model that considered the multilevel structure of data modeled the cost, conditional upon incurring any expense. Risk and efficiency indexes in pharmacy cost adjusted for ACG were obtained for centers and physicians. Spearman rank correlation between physician expenditure, adjusted for ACG, and a prescription quality index was also obtained. Pediatric and adult data were analyzed separately. RESULTS: No prescription was recorded for 13% of adults and 39.6% of children. The proportion of variance of the incurrence of expenditure explained by ACGs was 0.29 in adults and 0.21 in children. For adults with prescriptions, the variance of cost explained by ACGs was 35.4%, by physician-center was 1.8% and age 10.5% (residual 52.3%). For children, ACGs explained 22.4% of cost and physician-center 10.9% (residual 66.7%). Center efficiency index for adults ranged 0.58 to 1.22 and for children 0.32 to 2.36. Spearman correlation between expenditure and prescription quality index was -0.36 in family physicians (p = 0.019, N = 41) and -0.52 in pediatricians (p = 0.08, N = 12). CONCLUSION: In our setting, ACG is the variable studied that explains more variability in pharmacy cost in adults compared to physician and center. In children there is greater variability among physicians and centers not related to case-mix. In our sites, ACG is useful to profile physicians and centers using electronic records in real practical conditions. Physicians with lower pharmaceutical expenditure have higher scores for a prescription quality index.

Identification of factors involved in medication compliance: incorrect inhaler technique of asthma treatment leads to poor compliance.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the impact of delivery device of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting ß2-agonist (ICS/LABA) on asthma medication compliance, and investigate other factors associated with compliance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective and multicenter study based on a review of medical registries of asthmatic patients treated with ICS/LABA combinations (n=2,213) whose medical devices were either dry powder inhalers (DPIs, such as Accuhaler(®), Turbuhaler(®), and NEXThaler(®)) or pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDI). Medication compliance included persistence outcomes through 18 months and medication possession ratios. Data on potential confounders of treatment compliance such as asthma exacerbations, comorbidities, demographic characteristics, and health care resource utilization were also explored. RESULTS: The probability of asthma medication compliance in case of DPIs was lower compared to pMDIs, which suggests that inhaler devices influence inhalation therapies. There were additional confounding factors that were considered as explanatory variables of compliance. A worse measure of airflow obstruction (forced expiration volume in 1 second), comorbidities and general practitioner (GP) consultations more than once per month decreased the probability of compliance. Within comorbidities, alcoholism was positively associated with compliance. Patients of 29-39, 40-50, and 51-61 age groups or suffering from more than two exacerbations during the study period were more likely to comply with their medication regime. The effects of DPIs toward compliance varied with the different DPIs. For instance, Accuhaler(®) had a greater negative effect on compliance compared to Turbuhaler(®) and Nexthaler(®) in cases of patients who suffered exacerbations. We found that GP consultations reduced the probability of medication compliance for patients treated with formoterol/budesonide combination. For retired patients, visiting the GP increased the probability of medication compliance. CONCLUSION: We concluded that inhaler devices influence patients' compliance for long-term asthma medication. The impact of Accuhaler(®), Turbuhaler(®), and NEXThaler(®) on medication compliance was negative. We also identified some confounders of medication compliance such as patient's age, severity of asthma, comorbidities, and health care costs.

Epidemiology, clinical profile, management, and two-year risk complications among patients with chronic kidney disease in Spain / Epidemiología, perfil clínico, manejo y riesgo de complicaciones a 2 años en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en España

Objectives: To describe the epidemiology, clinical profile, treatments, and to determine cardiovascular and renal outcomes after two years of follow-up in a contemporary chronic kidneay disease (CKD) population in Spain. This was also analyzed among the DAPA-CKD-like population (patients who met most inclusion criteria of DAPA-CKD trial). Methods: Observational, retrospective, population-based study using BIG-PAC database. The CKD population was defined as patients ≥18 years, with at least one diagnostic code of CKD prior to the index date (January 1st, 2018). CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60mL/min/1.73m2 (CKD-EPI), or albuminuria >30mg/g. Results: We identified 56,435 CKD patients after exclusions (76.4 years, 52.2% men, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio 390.8mg/g, eGFR 49.7mL/min/1.73m2). CKD prevalence was 4.91% and incidence 2.10 per 1000 patient-years. Regarding treatments, 69.2% were taking renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (only 4.2% at maximal doses) and 3.5% of diabetic patients SGLT-2 inhibitors. During the two years of follow-up, rates of heart failure, all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and CKD were 17.9, 12.1, 7.2, 6.3, and 5.9 events per 100 patient-years, respectively. During this period, 44% of patients were hospitalized, and 6.8% died during hospitalization. Cardiovascular outcomes were more common in the DAPA-CKD-like population. Conclusions: In Spain, CKD population is older and comorbidities, including diabetes and heart failure, are common. Cardiovascular and renal outcomes are frequent. There is room for improvement in CKD management, particularly through the use of drugs with proven cardiovascular and renal benefit. (AU)

Objetivos: Describir la epidemiología, el perfil clínico, los tratamientos y los eventos cardiovasculares y renales, tras 2 años de seguimiento en una población contemporánea con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) en España. También se analizó en la población tipo DAPA-CKD (pacientes que cumplían la mayoría de criterios del estudio DAPA-CKD). Métodos: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo, poblacional, empleando la base de datos BIG-PAC. La población con ERC se definió como pacientes ≥18 años, con al menos un código diagnóstico de ERC antes de la fecha índice (01/01/2018). La ERC se definió como filtrado glomerular estimado (FGe)<60ml/min/1,73m2 (CKD-EPI) o albuminuria >30mg/g. Resultados: Se identificaron 56.435 pacientes con ERC, tras exclusiones (76,4 años, 52,2% varones, cociente albúmina-creatinina 390,8mg/g, FGe 49,7ml/min/1,73m2). La prevalencia fue del 4,91% y la incidencia 2,10/1.000 pacientes/año. El 69,2% tomaba inhibidores del sistema renina-angiotensina (solo el 4,2% a dosis máximas) y el 3,5% de los diabéticos inhibidores SGLT-2. Tras 2 años, las tasas de insuficiencia cardiaca, muerte, infarto de miocardio, ictus y ERC fueron 17,9; 12,1; 7,2; 6,3; 5,9 eventos/100 pacientes/año, respectivamente. Además, el 44% hospitalizaron y el 6,8% murieron durante la hospitalización. Los eventos cardiovasculares fueron más frecuentes en la población tipo DAPA-CKD. Conclusiones: En España, la población con ERC es mayor, y las comorbilidades, incluyendo diabetes e insuficiencia cardiaca, comunes. Los eventos cardiovasculares y renales son frecuentes. Hay margen de mejora en el manejo de la ERC, especialmente a través del empleo de fármacos con beneficio cardiovascular y renal. (AU)

The importance of inhaler devices: the choice of inhaler device may lead to suboptimal adherence in COPD patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify factors associated with poor adherence to COPD treatment in patients receiving a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting ß2-agonist (ICS/LABA), focusing on the importance of inhaler devices. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective and multicenter study based on a review of medical registries between 2007 and 2012 of COPD patients (n=1,263) treated with ICS/LABA FDC, whose medical devices were either dry powder inhalers (DPIs) or pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDI). Medication adherence included persistence outcomes through 18 months and medication possession ratios. Data on exacerbations, comorbidities, demographic characteristics, and health care resource utilization were also included as confounders of adherence. RESULTS: The analyses revealed that COPD patients whose medication was delivered through a DPI were less likely to have medication adherence compared to patients with pMDI, after adjusting for confounding factors, especially active ingredients. Younger groups of patients were less likely to be adherent compared to the oldest group. Smoker men were less likely to be adherent compared to women and non-smokers. Comorbidities decreased the probability of treatment adherence. Those patients that visited their doctor once a month were more likely to adhere to their medication regimen; however, suboptimal adherence was more likely to occur among those patients who visited more than three times per month their doctor. We also found that worsening of COPD is negatively associated with adherence. CONCLUSION: According to this study, inhaler devices influence patients' adherence to long-term COPD medication. We also found that DPIs delivering ICS/LABA FDC had a negative impact on adherence. Patients' clinic and socioeconomic characteristics were associated with adherence.

[The effect of the provider company of reference on drug prescriptions in nursing homes]. / Efecto de la prescripción farmacológica en residencias geriátricas según su entidad proveedora de referencia.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the effect of the provider company (PC) of reference on drug prescriptions in nursing homes. METHODS: We performed a descriptive study of all ambulatory prescriptions invoiced by the Catalan Health Service from 106 nursing homes in a health region in 2001. The PCs were grouped into private (n = 23; 1,158 residents) and public (n = 83; 3,163 residents). A system of evaluating quantitative, qualitative and relative use indicators was established according to therapeutic group or active principles. RESULTS: Expenditure in the nursing homes was Euro 7.7 million, representing 6.3% of that generated by the PCs. The results obtained show differences in expenditure per resident, which amounted to Euro 1,601.56 +/- 317.20 in the private sector and Euro 1,843.49 +/- 516.56 in the public sector (p = 0.000). The percentage spent on drugs of high intrinsic value was 89.0 and 82.9% (p = 0.043), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the study's limitations, the results should be generalized with caution. The volume of prescriptions in nursing homes was high. Moderate cost containment and a relative improvement in the quality of prescriptions in private PCs were observed.

Adding pregabalin or gabapentin for the management of community-treated patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a comparative cost analysis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pDPN) is a highly prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus, which is associated with substantial costs to society and national health systems. This economic impact varies depending on the therapeutic management provided to patients. The objective of this study was to compare healthcare resource utilization and costs among pDPN patients newly treated with pregabalin or gabapentin in routine medical practice. METHODS: We performed a retrospective medical records study of pDPN patients newly treated with pregabalin or gabapentin as an add-on therapy who are covered by the Badalona Serveis Assistencials (BSA) health plan, a healthcare provider in Spain, from 2006 to 2009. Healthcare resource utilization and days off work were assessed. The societal perspective was used to estimate costs. RESULTS: Three hundred and ninety-five records were eligible for analysis: 227 (57.5%) included pregabalin and 168 (42.5%) gabapentin. Mean (standard deviation) concomitant use of analgesics throughout the study was higher in the gabapentin cohort [3.9 (2.2) vs. 3.1 (2.1); p < 0.05], mainly due to greater use of non-narcotics (78.0 vs. 71.8%; p < 0.05) and opioids (32.7 vs. 28.6%; p < 0.05). Healthcare costs accounted for 59.2% of total costs, of which 71.9% occurred in primary care, with a mean cost per patient of €2,476 (year 2010 values). Adjusted mean (95% CI) total costs were significantly lower in pregabalin-treated patients [€2,003 (1,427-2,579)] than in gabapentin-treated patients [€3,127 (2,463-3,790)] (p = 0.013), mainly due to lower healthcare costs [€1,312 (1,192-1,432) vs. €1,675 (1,537-1,814); p < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Adding pregabalin to existing pDPN therapy resulted in lower total healthcare costs and lower resource utilization than resulted from adding gabapentin.

Costs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in relation to compliance with guidelines: a study in the primary care setting.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyse the economic impact of nonadherence to the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on a claim database. Patients aged at least 40 years with a diagnosis of COPD were eligible for this analysis. Demographics, medical data and use of resources were collected and direct and indirect costs were analysed (from January 2008 to June 2009). A probabilistic multivariate sensitivity analysis of avoided costs was carried out. All results are presented in annualized form and costs are expressed in Euros (2009). RESULTS: A total of 1365 patients were included, 79.5% were men. The mean age (±standard deviation) was 71.4 (±10.3) years, the mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) was 65.3% and they had a COPD history of 5.5 (±2.9) years. Patients were divided into an adherent group and a nonadherent group depending on whether therapeutic recommendations according to severity defined in the GOLD guidelines (2007) were followed. Patients in both groups were also classified as having stage II (FEV1 < 80% and < 50%) or stage III disease (FEV1 < 50% and ≥ 30%). The total annual drug cost per patient in the nonadherent group was €771.5 while it was only €426.4 for the adherent group. The average direct cost per patient per year in the nonadherent stage II group was €1465 (±971) and it rose to €2942 (±1918) for patients in the nonadherent group with stage III disease. The potential saving from the implementation of the GOLD guidelines in stage II COPD amounted to €758 per patient per year (68% saving on drug cost). In contrast, the cost for patients with stage III disease was higher in the adherent group versus the nonadherent group (€2468). CONCLUSIONS: The cost of COPD may vary according to compliance with the GOLD guidelines. The cost observed for patients with stage II disease is higher than expected in patients who adhere to treatment, but patients with stage III disease treated according to the GOLD guidelines had significantly higher treatment costs.

Distribución del gasto sanitario en atención primaria según edad y sexo: un análisis retrospectivo / Distribution of primary care expenditure according to sex and age group: a retrospective analysis

Objetivo: Estudiar el gasto por paciente en atención primaria y el peso de los distintos recursos según edad y sexo. Diseño: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo. Análisis de costes. Emplazamiento: 14 centros de atención primaria (población asignada: 313.000). Participantes: Personas visitadas en 2008 (227.235). Período de estudio: enero a diciembre de 2008. Mediciones principales: De la historia informatizada: edad, sexo, visitas, solicitudes de laboratorio, radiografías, pruebas complementarias y derivaciones; y de la facturación a farmacias el gasto farmacéutico. Los costes fijos/semifijos se repartieron entre las visitas obteniendo un coste medio. Se asignaron costes de laboratorio (gasto medio por petición), radiología y pruebas complementarias (gasto según prueba) y derivaciones (tarifa adaptada). Estadística descriptiva de los datos (medianas, rangos intercuartílicos y coeficientes de variación). Resultados: Mediana del gasto: 362 € (321 € en hombres y 396 € en mujeres). En menores de 2 años fue 410 €, de 15 a 44 años 203 € y en mayores de 75 años de 1.255 €. Hasta los 2 años las visitas representaron el 81% del gasto y farmacia el 8%. En mayores de 75 años las visitas el 21% y farmacia el 63%. Conclusiones: El gasto en atención primaria es superior en mujeres aunque las mayores diferencias se aprecian con la edad. En mayores de 74 años la mediana sextuplica a la de 15-44 años. En pediatría el mayor peso lo tienen las visitas, hasta los 2 años representa el 80% del total. A partir de los 45 es principalmente por farmacia que supera el 60% en mayores de 74 años(AU)

Objective: To study the primary care expenditure per person and the weight of different health resources within sex and age groups. Design: Cost analysis. Retrospective descriptive study. Setting: 14 urban primary care centers (assigned population: 313,000). Participants: All patients who visited during 2008 (227,235). Study period: January to December 2008. Main measurements: Age, sex, visits, laboratory, radiology and complementary tests and referrals to specialists were obtained from patient electronic files. Pharmacy expenditure was obtained from invoices sent to the national health system by pharmacists. Fixed/semi-fixed costs were distributed among visits and a mean cost/visit was obtained. Costs were assigned for laboratory (mean application cost), for radiology and complementary tests (rate per type of test) and for referrals (adjusted rate). Descriptive analysis of data (median, interquartile range and coefficient of variance). Results: Median expenditure was 362 € (321 € for men and 396 € for women). For the up to 2 year-old group it was 410 €, for aged 15-44 203 € and 75 and above 1,255 €.). The up to 2 years old visits represented 81% of total cost while pharmacy was 8%, while for those aged 75 and above visits accounted for 21% of the total cost and pharmacy 63%. Conclusions: Expenditure in primary care is higher in women, although the greatest differences were observed with age. In older than 74 years the median expenditure was six-fold higher than that for 3-44 years old group. In pediatrics the main source of expenditure was visits, representing 80% of the total in up to 2 years old. From 45 years old, pharmacy was the main source of expenditure and in those older than 74 it represented over 60% of the total(AU)