Use of Rasagiline or Selegiline and Hospitalizations among Patients with Parkinson's Disease (P06.087)

Abstract

Objective: To compare hospitalizations among patients with Parkinson9s disease (PD) who were treated with either rasagiline or selegiline. Background Resource utilization study. Design/Methods: Data for this study was obtained from the i3 LabRx database over the time period from January 1, 2006 through June 30, 2010. Patients who were diagnosed with PD, initiated therapy with either rasagiline or selegiline, and had continuous insurance coverage from 6 months prior through 12 months after medication initiation were included in the study. Logistic models were used to examine the odds of being hospitalized and generalized linear models with a negative binomial distribution were used to examine the number of inpatient stays and total hospital length of stay (LOS). Models controlled for patient age, sex, region of residence, type of insurance coverage, prior hospitalization, and general health using the Charlson comorbidity index. Results: There were 1,242 individuals who fit the study criteria (926 initiated on rasagiline and 316 on selegiline). The likelihood of having at least one hospitalization, after controlling for patient characteristics, general health, and prior hospitalization, did not differ between patients who initiated on rasagiline, compared to those who initiated on selegiline,(Odds Ratio = 0.774; 95% Confidence Interval 0.638 - 1.197). However, patients who initiated therapy with rasagiline, compared to those who initiated therapy on selegiline were found to have significantly fewer total hospitalizations (1.119 v 2.113; P=0.0127) as well as a significantly shorter overall hospital LOS (2.762 days v 5.556 days; P=0.0136). Conclusions: Results from this retrospective study indicate no difference in the odds of having at least one hospitalization among PD patients who initiate therapy on rasagiline or selegiline. However, rasagiline use was associated with a significantly lower total number of hospitalizations as well as shorter LOS compared to selegiline use. Future work will focus on identifying the main reasons associated with such hospitalizations. Supported by: Teva Pharmaceuticals. Disclosure: Dr. Grubb has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Pharmaceuticals as an employee. Dr. Lage has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Lage has received research support from Teva Pharmaceuticals. Ms. Castelli-Haley has received personal compensation for activities with Teva Neuroscience as an employee.