PMH18 - Examining The Prevalence And Incidence Rates Among Patients With Drug Dependence In The Us Veteran Population

Abstract

To examine the prevalence and incidence rates among patients with drug dependence (DD) in the United States Veterans Health Administration (VHA) population. The study sample was based on the VHA Medical SAS data sets from fiscal year 2011-2015. All patients diagnosed with DD during the study period were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code: 304. Prevalence and incidence were calculated among patients with continuous enrollment throughout that calendar year and ≥2 years prior. Using sex-specific age groups, the age- and sex-adjusted prevalence and incidence rates were calculated using direct standardization among patients aged ≥65 years in 2010. The annual adjusted overall prevalence of patients with DD increased from 0.16% (2011) to 0.27% (2015), whereas the annual overall incidence rate decreased from 0.19% (2011) to 0.12% (2015). Male patients had higher prevalence and incidence rates compared to female patients across all study years. From 2011 to 2015, patients aged 65-69 years had the highest prevalence and incidence rates, ranging from 0.48% to 0.80% and 0.38% to 0.22%, respectively. Prevalence and incidence rates were observed to decrease with advancing age. Prevalence was highest among Black patients in 2011 (0.46%), 2012 (0.53%), 2013 (0.58%), 2014 (0.63%), and 2015 (0.67%). Incidence of DD were highest among Black patients in 2011 (0.55%), 2012 (0.36%), 2013 (0.27%), 2014 (0.34%), and 2015 (0.21%). As compared to 2011, US veterans diagnosed with DD had higher prevalence but lower incidence from 2012 to 2015. Age-, sex-, and race-adjusted incidence rates decreased from 2011 to 2015. Black male patients aged 65-69 years were more likely to be diagnosed with DD.