PCN102 - Assessing The Clinical And Economic Burden of Prostate Cancer in The United States Veteran Population

Abstract

To assess the clinical burden, health care utilization, and cost patterns of prostate cancer patients in the US veteran population. Patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code: 185.xx) were selected from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) database (October 1, 2010-September 30, 2014). The first observed diagnosis date was defined as the index date. Continuous medical and pharmacy benefits were required 12 months pre- and post-index date. The 10 most common comorbidities were calculated for the 12-month baseline period. The 10 most commonly prescribed medications were calculated for 60 days post-index date. Health care resource utilization (inpatient, outpatient, pharmacy) and costs (inpatient, outpatient, pharmacy, total) were assessed for the 12-month follow-up period. Descriptive statistics were calculated as means ± standard deviation (SD) and percentages to measure treatment, cost, and utilization distribution in the sample. Among all study patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (n=195,989), the most common comorbidities were hypertension (24.24%), elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (22.26%), diabetes (13.96%), bilateral hearing loss (8.19%), and hyperlipidemia (7.95%). The most commonly prescribed medications for prostate cancer patients were simvastatin (16.95%), lisinopril (14.62%), omeprazole (13.43%), amlodipine besylate (11.05%), and hydrochlorothiazide (7.56%). The percentage of patients with inpatient stays (12.24%), outpatient visits (99.88%), and pharmacy visits (85.26%) were calculated. Prostate cancer patients incurred $4,488 (SD=$27,143) in inpatient, $8,690 (SD=$13,923) in outpatient visit, and $1,296 (SD=$4,839) in pharmacy costs. Total expenditures were $14,474 (SD=$34,318). Results suggest that hypertension and elevated PSA levels were the most common comorbidities among prostate cancer patients. This disease is associated with high outpatient visit utilization, resulting in a high cost burden.