Epidemiology and Healthcare Resource Utilization of Rett Syndrome in Canada: The Ontario Experience.

Costs of Healthcare Resource Utilization in the Management of Patients with Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome in Canada

Trends in incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome in Canada and associated healthcare resource utilization

Background:Our institution is the largest pediatric kidney transplantation (KT) center in Canada and the referral center for pediatric KT in Ontario. Pediatric KT recipients are referred to our center for KT and transferred back to their local tertiary care institutions for post-transplant care. This investigation assesses whether the current system of transferring patients back to their local tertiary care institutions following KT allows decreased burden and distribution of resources from a single centralized surgical center.Methods:A retrospective review of KT performed at our institution between 2000 and 2015 was performed. Patients were divided into those who began their chronic kidney disease (CKD) care at our institution and those who began their care elsewhere. Readmission to our institution within 1 year of KT for surgical and nonsurgical complications was compared. The geographical proximity of patients to our institution and institution of initial CKD care was assessed quantitatively and mapped visually.Results:Of 324 patients who underwent KT, 244 (75.3%) began their CKD care at our institution. Those who began their CKD care at other institutions had shorter initial admissions to our institution (17 [14-24] vs 14 [12-17], P < .0001) and were less likely to be readmitted to our institution for nonsurgical concerns at <6 months after transplant (P < .0001) and 6 to 12 months after transplant (P < .0001). There were similar readmissions for complications requiring surgical management. The relationship between the center of CKD initiation and readmission remained significant on multivariate analysis. There was a significant difference in distance (km) to our institution between the 2 groups (46 [interquartile range = 24-109] vs 203 [117-406], P < .0001).Conclusion:Patients who are geographically distanced from our institution began their CKD care at their closest institution and were managed effectively at those institutions following initial discharge/transfer of care, suggesting that there is an effective distribution of health care resources with regard to CKD and KT care.

The extent of cardiac damage has been shown to be associated with increased mortality, repeat hospitalization, and decreased quality of life after aortic valve replacement (AVR). However, the association between the extent of cardiac damage at the time of AVR and health care costs and resource utilization has never been described. The Optum de-identified Market Clarity database was used to identify patients with aortic stenosis treated with AVR between 2016 and 2022. Patients were categorized into 5 groups (stages 0-4) based on their stage of cardiac damage in the year before AVR. Health care costs and resource utilization (including all-cause hospitalizations, heart failure hospitalizations, and total inpatient days) were assessed for the AVR hospitalization and the following year. Cost and utilization outcomes by stage of cardiac damage were estimated using covariate-adjusted generalized linear models. A total of 24 644 patients with AVR were included in our analysis. Patients were distributed across the 5 stages of cardiac damage as follows: 8.1% in stage 0, 17.1% in stage 1, 37.3% in stage 2, 36.2% in stage 3, and 1.4% in stage 4. Total costs increased with the extent of cardiac damage (increased by $2746 in stage 1, $19 511 in stage 2, $19 198 in stage 3, and $35 663 in stage 4, compared with stage 0; P<0.01). Similarly, length of stay, number of all-cause and heart failure hospitalizations, and all-cause and heart failure days in-hospital significantly increased with the extent of cardiac damage. Risk-adjusted models demonstrated that advanced stages of cardiac damage were associated with both higher cost and resource utilization when compared with patients with stage 0 damage. Among patients undergoing AVR for aortic stenosis, the extent of cardiac damage before AVR was independently associated with increased costs and health care resource utilization during the index AVR admission and through 1 year post-AVR.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of age on healthcare costs and resource utilization in pts with CD. Methods: A retrospective analysis, using the PharMetrics database, of pts with a dx of CD (ICD-9 code 555.x) from Jan. 1, 2000 through June 30, 2005 was conducted. Pts had to be continuously enrolled for 6 months pre-and 12 months post-CD dx, and have 2 distinct claims for CD. Mean/pt healthcare resource utilization and costs were calculated for pts in the yr following their initial CD dx. Outcomes are presented for all pts with CD, and by the following age grps: pediatric <18 yrs, adults 18 to 64 yrs, and pts ≥ 65 yrs. Results: The cohort consisted of 13454 CD pts. Over half of the pts were females and the mean age was 42 yrs. Mean annual total healthcare costs for all pediatric CD pts were $16700. The mean healthcare costs were highest among pediatric and pts ≥ 65 with CD ($19347 and $19900). Inpt hospitalization costs had the largest component of the mean annual total cost for all pts followed by drug, and outpt costs. Resource utilization was highest for pts ≥ 65 yrs. Conclusions: There is limited data assessing the healthcare costs and resource utilization in pts with CD by age group. Healthcare costs among this pt population are high. Pediatric pts and pts ≥ 65 yrs had higher mean healthcare costs than adults 18 to 64 yrs, primarily driven by inpt hospitalizations. New therapies that can reduce hospitalizations have the potential to decrease overall cost of care for CD pts.Table: Mean Healthcare Costs and Resource Utilization.

Among patients with IgA nephropathy (IgAN), proteinuria and decline in kidney function may be associated with increased economic burden. This study aimed to provide current information on the epidemiology and economic burden of IgAN in the United States. Retrospective cohort study. Overall, 9,984 patients in the Optum's Market Clarity database identified by the presence of at least 2 natural language processing-derived IgAN signs and disease and symptoms terms; 813 with linked claims data included in a health care resource utilization/cost subcohort. High-risk proteinuria (≥1g/d), chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage. Standardized prevalence, health care resource utilization, costs. Descriptive statistics for categorical and continuous variables. Direct standardization for prevalence estimation. Generalized linear models for health care resource utilization/costs, reported as per-patient-per-month (PPPM) costs in 2020 US dollars. The estimated standardized US prevalence of IgAN (2016-2020) was 329.0 per 1,000,000 persons. High-risk proteinuria (≥1 vs<1 g/d) was associated with a higher mean PPPM number of outpatient visits (3.49 vs 1.74; P=0.01) and pharmacy claims (3.79 vs 2.41; P=0.01), contributing to higher mean total costs PPPM ($3,732 vs $1,457; P=0.01). Furthermore, higher CKD stage was also associated with higher health care resource utilization (number of outpatient visits PPPM, number of pharmacy claims PPPM, proportion of patients with inpatient visits and emergency department visits; P<0.001) and mean total cost PPPM (from $2,111 CKD stage 1 to $10,703 CKD stage 5/kidney failure; P<0.001). Generalizability outside of the catchment group for the database, missing data/errors inherent in retrospective database studies, relatively small sample size, use of Optum Market Clarity standardized pricing algorithms, exclusion of out-of-pocket costs. Health care resource utilization and costs were higher for IgAN patients with high-risk proteinuria and worsening kidney function. Treatments that reduce proteinuria and slow CKD disease progression may reduce the economic burden associated with IgAN. Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is a rare kidney disease. Over time, the kidneys may leak protein into the urine (proteinuria). IgAN can lead to kidney failure. Because IgAN is rare, it is hard to know how many people have it. This study used electronic health records to estimate the number of patients with IgAN in the United States, describe the characteristics of patients, and understand their treatments and the costs. The number of patients with IgAN increased between 2016 and 2020. The researchers think this is because doctors learned more about IgAN. Patients with severe disease used more health care resources and had higher costs. The authors believe treatments that slow kidney damage may reduce the cost of treating IgAN.

Cost and utilisation of healthcare resources during rehabilitation after ankle fracture are not linked to health insurance, income, gender, or pain: an observational study

To compare healthcare resource utilization and costs among patients with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and a control group of patients without psoriasis and PsA in the USA. The IBM® MarketScan® Commercial Database was used to identify three adult patient groups from 1/1/2009 through 4/30/2020: (1) Psoriasis: ≥ 2 diagnoses ≥ 30 days apart for psoriasis (no PsA diagnoses); (2) PsA: ≥ 2 diagnoses for PsA; (3) Control: no psoriasis or PsA diagnoses in their entire claims records. Patients with comorbid rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis were excluded from the analyses. Controls were matched 1:1 to psoriasis and PsA patients based on age, gender, index year, and number of non-rheumatological comorbidities. Healthcare resource utilization and costs (in 2019 USD) were evaluated descriptively and through mixed models for five years of follow-up. A total of 142,531 psoriasis and 21,428 PsA patients were matched to the control group (N = 163,959). Annual all-cause healthcare costs per patient were $7,470, $11,062, and $29,742 for the control, psoriasis, and PsA groups, respectively. All-cause healthcare costs increased over time and were significantly greater among PsA vs. psoriasis (p < 0.0001) and the control groups (p < 0.0001). Across all categories of healthcare resources, utilization was greatest among patients with PsA and lowest in the control group. Annual healthcare costs and resource utilization were significantly higher with PsA compared with psoriasis and the control group, confirming the substantial economic burden of PsA. The cost disparity between these patient groups highlights a continued unmet medical need. Key Points • Patients with PsA incurred significantly greater healthcare resource utilization and costs than patients with psoriasis and patients without psoriasis and PsA. • Significantly greater costs and healthcare resource utilization were also observed among patients with psoriasis compared with patients without psoriasis and PsA.

Impact of Switching From an Initial Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor on Health Care Resource Utilization and Costs Among Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Favorable Cardiovascular Health Is Associated With Lower Health Care Expenditures and Resource Utilization in a Large US Employee Population: The Baptist Health South Florida Employee Study

Objectives To evaluate incidence of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), and peripheral artery disease (PAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and assess associated health care resource utilization (HCRU) and costs in the United States. Methods Patients ≥18 years of age with a T2DM diagnosis, with or without incident stroke/MI/PAD, were indexed between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2020, from the deidentified Optum Clinformatics Data Mart claims database. Incidence of stroke, MI, and PAD was evaluated in the year following T2DM. HCRU and costs were measured in the 12 months following study entry in patients with T2DM + stroke, T2DM + MI, and T2DM + PAD (experimental cohorts) and compared to HCRU and costs in patients with T2DM alone (control cohorts). Results Incidence of stroke, MI, and PAD in patients with T2DM was 0.9% (n = 16,034), 0.7% (n = 13,681), and 4.1% (n = 68,479), respectively. Compared to matched patients with T2DM alone, patients with T2DM + stroke/MI/PAD had significantly higher total healthcare costs in the year post-index date (T2DM + stroke: +$5962 per patient per month [PPPM]; T2DM + MI: +$7932 PPPM; T2DM + PAD: +$2652 PPPM; p < .05). Patients with T2DM + stroke/MI/PAD had significantly higher mean HCRU than patients without stroke/MI/PAD in all categories measured. Conclusion Having stroke, MI, or PAD was associated with increases in HCRU and costs in patients with T2DM. Although PAD was associated with smaller per patient increases in total healthcare costs than patients with T2DM + stroke/MI, the higher frequency of incident PAD may make it more costly than MI or stroke in a large population of patients with T2DM.

BackgroundPerianal fistula (PAF), a complication of Crohn’s disease (CD), is associated with substantial economic costs and poor prognosis. We determined prevalence of PAF CD in the United States and compared costs and health care resource utilization (HRU) of PAF CD patients with matched non-PAF CD patients.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of claims data from the IBM MarketScan Commercial Database from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2018. Eligible patients were aged 18 to 89 years with ≥2 CD diagnoses. Patients with PAF CD had ≥1 PAF diagnosis or procedure code and were matched with non-PAF CD patients. Cumulative prevalence of PAF CD in the US population was calculated across total patients in MarketScan. All-cause and gastrointestinal (GI)-related costs and HRU were compared between groups using a generalized linear model (GLM).ResultsCumulative 3-year prevalence of PAF was 7.70% of patients with CD (N = 81,862) and 0.01% of the US population. Among PAF CD (n = 1218) and matched non-PAF CD (n = 4095) patients, most all-cause costs and HRU were GI-related. Mean total all-cause and GI-related health care costs per patient and per year for PAF CD were $85,233 and $71,612, respectively, vs $40,526 and $29,458 for non-PAF CD (P < .0001). Among PAF CD vs non-PAF CD patients, GLM-adjusted proportions of patients with GI-related inpatient, outpatient, or pharmacy visits, mean GI-related inpatient length of stay, and mean GI-related surgeries were higher (P < .0001 for all comparisons).ConclusionsCosts and HRU are significantly higher for patients with PAF CD vs non-PAF CD patients, highlighting the economic burden of the disease.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare neuromuscular disorder with an estimated prevalence of 37 per 100,000 individuals in the United States. Despite patients with MG using a wide range of health care services, there is a lack of information regarding health care costs and health care resource utilization (HCRU). To gain insight into the health care cost and HCRU associated with an MG diagnosis from the US payer perspective. Patients with MG, defined by at least 2 claims for MG diagnoses, were identified from a commercial and Medicare claims database between 2016 and 2021. Controls who were never diagnosed with MG were matched at a 10:1 ratio with each patient with MG based on baseline demographic and clinical characteristics. The primary outcomes were 1-year total health care costs associated with MG diagnosis, and the secondary outcomes were 1-year HCRU associated with MG diagnosis. Difference-in-difference estimates from a multivariable linear regression model were used to report adjusted health care costs and HCRU. The final analytic cohort included 3,700 patients with MG and 37,000 controls. On average, patients were aged 54years, with 60% being female. The difference-in-difference estimates of the total health care cost for MG diagnosis in commercial and Medicare patients were $25,799 and $4,927, respectively (P < 0.01). MG diagnosis had significant impacts on HCRU across all health care settings. We quantified a significant increase in health care costs and HCRU in the first year following diagnosis of MG compared with the matched cohort. Future studies can further investigate long-term health care costs associated with patients with MG.

IntroductionAlopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disorder causing sudden, non-scarring hair loss. There are currently no drugs approved for AA treatment. This study assessed prevalence of comorbidities, treatments, and healthcare costs and resource utilization among patients with AA in the USA.MethodsPatients diagnosed with AA between January 2011 and December 2018 were identified in IBM MarketScan® Research Databases. Eligible patients had no other hair loss-related disorders and were continuously enrolled with medical and pharmacy benefits at least 12 months before and after AA diagnosis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize comorbid conditions, treatments related to AA or other autoimmune/inflammatory conditions, and all-cause and AA-specific healthcare costs and resource utilization identified from claims data.ResultsA total of 68,121 patients with AA were identified. Mean (SD) age was 40.3 (17.8) years and 61.0% were female. The most common comorbidities included hyperlipidemia (22.4%), hypertension (21.8%), thyroid disorders (13.1%), contact dermatitis or eczema (10.8%), depression (9.5%), and anxiety (8.4%). Comorbid autoimmune diseases included atopic dermatitis (2.8%), psoriasis (2.1%), chronic urticaria (1.5%), and rheumatoid arthritis (1.1%). During the 12-month follow-up period, 37,995 patients (55.8%) were prescribed treatment for their AA or other comorbid autoimmune/inflammatory disease; 44.9% of treated patients were prescribed therapy within 7 days of AA diagnosis. Of patients receiving treatment, 80.3% received topical steroids and 30.0% received oral steroids. Mean (SD) total healthcare costs were $11,241.21 ($43,839.69) for all-causes and $419.12 ($1534.99) for AA. AA-related expenses were driven by outpatient and prescription costs.ConclusionPatients with AA have a high comorbidity burden and lack of treatment. Current AA treatments, including systemic therapies other than oral steroids, were not frequently utilized in this study population. Healthcare costs incurred by patients with AA went beyond AA-related expenses. Longitudinal data are needed to better understand treatment trajectories and the disease burden in patients with AA.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-021-01845-0.

Inhaler mishandling is very common in patients with chronic airflow obstruction and long-term home nebuliser use