Abstract P147: Healthcare Resource Utilization and Associated Costs in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Uncontrolled Glycemic Level or Blood Pressure

Abstract

Background: Poor glycemic and blood pressure (BP) control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may lead to higher risk of complications with varying healthcare resource utilization (HRU). We hypothesize that poor glycemic and BP control are associated with higher HRU/costs. Methods: This study analyzed electronic health records from integrated delivery networks across the US between 2008 and 2012. Adult T2DM patients with at least two HbA1c and BP measures over a 12-month baseline period were selected. The end of this baseline period marks the index date. Patients were required to have an additional 12-month follow-up after the index date to evaluate HRU/costs. Uncontrolled HbA1c was defined as ≥ 1 HbA1c measure that was ≥7% during the baseline period. Uncontrolled BP was defined as ≥ 2 measures with systolic BP ≥ 130mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 80mmHg during the baseline period. Descriptive analysis was conducted to compare HRU/costs across study cohorts. Unit cost approach was applied to derive total medical encounter costs. Logistic regression models were performed to assess the association between uncontrolled HbA1c/BP and HRU. Results: Of the 96,312 T2DM patients included in this study (mean age: 62.4 years; female: 51.5%), 55.9% had uncontrolled HbA1c (mean age: 61.2 years; female: 49.4%) and 74.6% had uncontrolled BP (mean age: 62.3 years; female: 52.8%). Patients with uncontrolled HbA1c had a higher proportion of hospitalizations (16.6% vs. 15.0%) , ER visits (21.0% vs. 18.3%), and higher total medical encounter costs ($4,168 vs. $3,773) than controlled patients, but lower utilization of outpatient visits (28.5% vs. 33.1%) and physician office visits (93.9% vs. 94.3%) (all p<0.05). Patients with uncontrolled BP had a higher proportion of hospitalization (17.1% vs. 12.3%), ER visits (21.3% vs. 15.5%), and outpatient visits (33.3% vs. 22.5%) and higher total medical encounter costs ($4,236 vs. $3,282) than controlled patients, but lower utilization of physician office visits (93.6% vs. 95.4%) (all p<0.05). In regression models, uncontrolled HbA1c was associated with greater odds of having any hospitalization (odds ratio [OR]: 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–1.14) and ER visits (OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.07–1.14). Uncontrolled BP was also associated with greater odds of having any hospitalization (OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.33–1.45) and ER visits (OR: 1.37; 95% CI: 1.31–1.43). Conclusions: T2DM patients with uncontrolled HbA1c or BP had higher HRU in inpatient/ER settings and incurred higher costs. The findings highlight the clinical/economic significance of managing HbA1c and co-morbid hypertension among T2DM patients.