Direct Medical Costs For Patients Research Articles

Cost implications of clinical trial (CT) participation in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

7084 Background: To assess the value of CTs in advanced NSCLC from the payer perspective, we compared insurance-related total direct medical costs for NSCLC patients who enrolled in CTs vs. those who did not. Methods: After linking electronic health records with tumor registry and claims data, we identified 101 patients with metastatic NSCLC diagnosed between 1/1/2007 and 12/31/2015 and treated at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Eligibility criteria included 60-day minimum survival, claims for ≥ 1 anti-cancer drug within 180 days of diagnosis and insurance enrollment for the first 12 months after diagnosis. We abstracted patient sociodemographic, disease and treatment data, and obtained death dates from the Washington State Cancer Registry, censoring patients alive on 3/7/2019.We used the Kaplan-Meier sample-average (KMSA) estimator with bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals to describe direct medical costs and compared costs in CT enrollees vs. non-enrollees by applying a generalized linear model (Gamma distribution, log link) adjusted for confounding covariates. Results: Of 101 patients, 39 (39%) enrolled in CTs. Compared with non-enrollees, CT enrollees were younger (mean age 61.6 vs. 66.5 years), female (67% vs. 47%), Asian (18% vs. 11%), never smokers (41% vs.32%), had commercial insurance (44% vs. 35%), resided in metropolitan areas (90% vs. 79%) and had a higher median income ($81,149 vs. $76,844). Table shows KMSA estimates of total direct medical costs and adjusted mean lifetime total direct medical costs by CT participation. After adjusting for sex, smoking status, residence, income, insurance payer, ECOG and mutation status, CT enrollment was associated with an increase in lifetime total direct medical costs compared with no enrollment (adjusted cost ratio=1.39; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.90; p=0.043). Conclusions: CT participation is associated with increased total direct medical costs in patients with metastatic NSCLC. Our results may inform partnerships between trial sponsors, oncology centers and payers to sustain treatment innovation through CTs. [Table: see text]

PCV34 MEDICATION USE, HEALTH CARE RESOURCE USE AND DIRECT MEDICAL COSTS FOR PATIENTS WITH VERY-HIGH-RISK ATHEROSCLEROTIC CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IN CHINA

To investigate medication use, health care resource use and direct medical costs for patients with very-high-risk atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in China. Data were obtained from Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance database (2013-2017) in Tianjin, China. Very-high-risk ASCVD patients with medical history of 1 major ASCVD event combined with multiple high-risk conditions or history of multiple major ASCVD events were identified between 2014 and 2015, and followed for 24 months. Medication use including statins, antiplatelets, β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor antagonists (ACEIs/ARBs) was investigated with each 3-month as an interval. All-cause health care resource utilization including hospitalizations and outpatient visits were estimated respectively, and all-cause direct medical costs were also calculated. 34,740 patients with very-high-risk ASCVD were included (mean age: 67.1 years; 42.5% female), which accounted for 35.2% of clinical ASCVD patients. The medication use was suboptimal among included patients. The prescription percentages for antiplatelets, statins, ACEIs/ARBs, β-blockers in the first 3-month follow-up were 69.7%, 58.7%, 49.9% and 29.3% respectively, which gradually decreased in the following follow-up. In the first 12-month follow-up, 57.5% of patients experienced ≥1 hospitalization, with a mean (SD) length of stay of 13.1 (7.9) days and a mean cost of ¥17306.2 per admission. 99.1% of patients experienced ≥1 outpatient visit with a mean (SD) number of visits of 44.4 (39.2) and a mean cost of ¥277.8 per visit. The annual mean all-cause costs were ¥20564.5 per patient, in which medication cost accounted for 58.0%. Use of cardiovascular medications in very-high-risk ASCVD patients was poor in China, and their medical burden were considerable driven by the hospitalization cost. Efforts aiming to improve drug adherence among very-high-risk ASCVD patients may have the potential to reduce the use of inpatient services and lead to better economic outcomes.

The Factors Associated With Direct Medical Costs in Patients With Gastric Cancer: Quantile Regression Approach Compared With Gamma Regression

ObjectivesEvaluating the costs of illness can provide evidence to improve performance at all levels of health organizations. This study aimed to identify the relationship between the costs of diagnosing and treating patients with gastric cancer and their explanatory variables, using quantile and gamma regressions and comparing the results of the two models. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytic study carried out in 2016. In total, 449 patients with gastric cancer were selected at a hospital affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. Direct costs and other variables were collected from medical documents. Data were analyzed using the STATA 12 software, using quantile and gamma regression analysis, and the results were compared. ResultsThe highest average cost per patient was related to hospitalization costs in both metastatic (20 911 034 Iranian Rials) and nonmetastatic patients (20 738 062 Iranian Rials). The lowest average cost was related to biopsy services in nonmetastatic patients. The results of the study also showed that quantile regression is an appropriate substitute for gamma regression and, in some cases, can provide more information for the analysis of disease costs. Based on the results of the quantile regression, being a male and having a shorter stay had a positive effect on cost and the age of the patient had a significantly negative effect. ConclusionsExamining the cost of a common illness, such as gastric cancer, is an important economic tool for policy makers and decision makers. It provides evidence-based decision making about resource allocation that they can use for future planning and cost control.

2374. Healthcare Resource Use, Costs, and Recurrences in Patients with Clostridioides difficile Infection: A Real-world Data Analysis

Background Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), especially recurrent CDI (rCDI), is associated with high morbidity and resource use and imposes a significant burden on the US healthcare system. The objective of this study was to evaluate the burden of rCDI on healthcare resource utilization.MethodsA retrospective study analyzed commercial claims data from patients aged 18–64 years old in the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus™ database. CDI episodes required an inpatient stay with CDI diagnosis code (ICD-9-CM 008.45; ICD-10-CM A04.7, A04.71, A04.72), or an outpatient medical claim with CDI diagnosis code plus a CDI treatment, and index episodes occurred from January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2017. Only patients who were observable 6 months before and 12 months after the index CDI episode were included. Each CDI episode was followed by a 14-day claim-free period after the end of treatment. rCDI was defined as another CDI episode within an 8-week window immediately after the claim-free period. Number of CDI and rCDI episodes, healthcare resource use, and costs were calculated over 12-month follow-up and stratified by number of rCDI episodes. Costs were adjusted to 2018 dollars.Results46,571 patients with an index CDI episode were included, with 3,129 (6.7%) who had 1 rCDI, 472 (1.0%) who had 2 rCDI, and 134 (0.3%) who had 3+ rCDI episodes. Mean age was 47.4 years, and 62.4% were female. In the 12-month follow-up, the mean (SD) numbers of inpatient visits were 1.4 (2.1) for those with no rCDI, 2.7 (3.4) for those with 1 rCDI, 3.7 (3.9) for those with 2 rCDI, and 5.8 (6.0) for those with 3+ rCDI episodes. Emergency department (ED) visits had a similar trend, with mean (SD) number of visits of 1.5 (3.5), 2.5 (6.0), 3.7 (7.0), and 4.6 (13), respectively for the four study groups. All-cause costs after the index CDI were $71,980 for those with no rCDI, $131,953 for those with 1 rCDI, $180,574 for those with 2 rCDI, and $207,733 for those with 3+ rCDI.ConclusionCDI and rCDI are associated with substantial healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs. During the 12 months after an index CDI episode, the number of inpatient admissions and ED visits increased substantially for patients with an rCDI episode. Direct medical costs for patients with rCDI also increased with number of recurrences.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Comparison of lixisenatide in combination with basal insulin vs other insulin regimens for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled by basal insulin: Systematic review, network meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis.

To evaluate the comparative efficacy and safety of lixisenatide combined with basal insulin (BI) vs intensive premix insulin (premix), BI plus prandial insulin with the main meal (basal-plus) or progressively covering all meals (basal-bolus) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) inadequately controlled by BI, and the long-term cost-effectiveness of lixisenatide from a Chinese healthcare system perspective. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 1998 and 2018 were systematically searched. The clinical efficacy and safety of each treatment were compared by network meta-analysis (NMA). The IQVIA CORE Diabetes Model was used to estimate the lifetime quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and direct medical costs of patients treated with different strategies. Eight RCTs were finally included. Lixisenatide plus BI showed a similar reduction in HbA1c from baseline compared with premix, basal-plus and basal-bolus. There were significant differences in the change of body weight in favour of lixisenatide plus BI compared with the three insulin regimens. The risk of symptomatic hypoglycaemia of lixisenatide plus BI was significantly lower compared with premix and basal-bolus. Lixisenatide plus BI was cost-effective compared with premix, basal-plus and basal-bolus with incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of Chinese yuan (CNY) 87 219, 48 173 and 48 670 per QALY gained, respectively, under the threshold of three times the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in China. Lixisenatide plus BI shows a similar HbA1c reduction compared with insulin regimens, accompanied by lower risk of hypoglycaemia and greater body weight reduction. It is a cost-effective treatment alternative for patients with T2DM inadequately controlled by BI in China.

National practice patterns and direct medical costs for prostate cancer in Korea across a 10\u2009year period: a nationwide population-based study using a national health insurance database

BackgroundA complete enumeration study was conducted to evaluate trends in national practice patterns and direct medical costs for prostate cancer (PCa) in Korea over a 10-year retrospective period using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service.MethodsReimbursement records for 874,924 patients diagnosed between 2002 and 2014 with primary PCa according to the International Classification of Disease (ICD) 10th revision code C61 were accessed. To assess direct medical costs for patients newly diagnosed after 2005, data from 68,596 patients managed between January 2005 and 31 December 2014 were evaluated.ResultsFrom 2005 to 2014, the total number of PCa patients showed a 2.6-fold increase. Surgery and androgen deprivation therapy were the most common first-line treatment, alone or within the context of combined therapy. Surgery as a monotherapy was performed in 23.5% of patients in 2005, and in 39.4% of patients in 2014. From 2008, the rate of robot-assisted RP rose sharply, showing a similar rate to open RP in 2014. Average total treatment costs in the 12 months post-diagnosis were around 10 million Korean won. Average annual treatment costs thereafter were around 5 million Korean won. Out-of-pocket expenditure was highest in the first year post-diagnosis, and ranged from 12 to 17% thereafter.ConclusionsBetween 2005 and 2014, a substantial change was observed in the national practice pattern for PCa in Korea. The present data provide a reliable overview of treatment patterns and medical costs for PCa in Korea.

Healthcare Resource Utilization and Direct Medical Costs for Patients With Osteoporotic Fractures in China

ObjectivesTo estimate annual healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs for patients with osteoporotic fractures in China. MethodsData were obtained from the Tianjin Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance database (2008-2011). Included patients were 50 years or older with one or more diagnoses of osteoporotic fractures between 2009 and 2010. The annual healthcare resource utilization and direct medical costs were estimated. Regression model was applied to identify factors associated with the direct medical costs. ResultsA total of 5941 patients were included (mean age, 65.9 years; women, 62.1%; retired, 88.2%). During the 12 months after a fracture, the annual mean all-cause cost was $2549 per patient. Osteoporosis-related costs accounted for 53.8% of the total costs; 92.0% of these costs were for inpatient services. For osteoporosis-related health services, 33.2% of the patients experienced at least 1 hospitalization, with a mean cost of $3010 per admission; 83.2% of the patients experienced at least 1 outpatient visit, with a mean cost of $18 per visit during the 12-month follow-up period. The regression model revealed that osteoporosis-related costs tended to increase with age, and patients with hip, vertebral, lower leg, and multiple fractures were more likely to have higher costs. ConclusionsCosts for patients with osteoporotic fractures were considerable in China, driven mainly by osteoporosis-related hospitalizations. Efforts focused on reducing the utilization of inpatient services by lowering the fracture risks may lighten the economic burden of osteoporotic fractures in China.

Impact of Optimal Medical Therapy at Discharge on One-year Direct Medical Costs in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Retrospective, Observational Database Analysis in China

PurposeThis study was conducted to examine the use of optimal medical therapy (OMT), consisting of an antiplatelet, a β-blocker, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (ACEI/ARB), and a statin combined, after hospital discharge and its relationship with direct medical costs in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in Tianjin, China. MethodsData were obtained from the Tianjin Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance database (2011–2015). Data from adult patients with ≥1 hospitalization for ACS between January 2012 and December 2014 were included. Medications including antiplatelets, β-blockers, ACEIs/ARBs, and statins at discharge were recorded, with OMT defined as the use of all 4 indicated medications. Propensity-score matching was conducted to form matched OMT and non-OMT cohorts based on baseline differences. All-cause and ACS-related health care resource utilization and direct medical costs during a 12-month follow-up period were assessed and compared between cohorts. Generalized linear modeling was conducted to assess the association between OMT at discharge and direct medical costs. FindingsA total of 22,041 patients were identified (mean age, 64.7 [10.7] years; 45.6% female), of whom 15.1% (3336) received OMT at discharge. The OMT cohort had fewer patients hospitalized for any cause during follow-up compared with the matched non-OMT cohort (38.1% vs 43.2%; P < 0.001), which was further associated with fewer hospitalizations (1.55 vs 1.64; P = 0.019) and shorter annualized length of stay (15.9 vs 17.2 d; P = 0.041). Despite higher costs of outpatient services (9958 vs 10,060 Chinese yuan [CNY] [P = 0.006]; adjusted difference, +456 CNY [P = 0.004]) (year-2014 1 USD = 6.20 CNY), the OMT cohort had significantly lower all-cause total costs (20,771 vs 22,877 CNY [P = 0.174]; adjusted difference, –2089 CNY [P = 0.006]), driven by lower costs of inpatient services (10,813 vs 12,817 CNY [P < 0.001]; adjusted difference, –2184 CNY [P = 0.001]). The difference in ACS-related total costs between the 2 cohorts was not statistically significant (8535 vs 9304 CNY [P = 0.128]; adjusted difference, –558 CNY [P = 0.214]). ImplicationsReceiving OMT at discharge was associated with fewer hospitalizations and lower all-cause direct medical costs in these patients with ACS in China. Strategies are needed to improve OMT prescribing rates at discharge, which would lead to better clinical prognosis and total cost-savings among patients with ACS in China.

A cost minimization analysis comparing minimally-invasive with open reduction surgical techniques for pelvic ring fracture.

The aim of the present study was to compare the in-hospital direct medical costs of patients with pelvic fracture treated with minimally invasive surgery (MIS) or open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). A retrospective, single-center, cohort, and comparative study was performed. Administrative information and clinical results, in addition to cost data, were collected and analyzed. A cost minimization analysis method was used to evaluate the costs of two different surgical techniques. A total of 128 patients diagnosed with pelvic fracture were included in this study; 62 were treated with MIS and 66 underwent ORIF. No significant difference was observed between the 2 groups in terms of patients' clinical baseline characteristics. The operative time, length of incision, intra-operative blood loss, and post-operative length of stay in the MIS group were significantly different compared with those in the ORIF group. The cost-minimization analysis demonstrated that the cost effectiveness of MIS was better than ORIF as the MIS was associated with a significantly lower total in-hospital direct medical cost ($8,900 vs. $5,786, P=0.032), compared with ORIF. The cost-minimization analysis demonstrated that for similar clinical baseline characteristics as well as outcomes, there were differences in direct hospitalization cost of two surgical techniques, and MIS had a lower cost on average than ORIF.

Direct medical costs for patients with schizophrenia: a 4-year cohort study from health insurance claims data in Guangzhou city, Southern China

BackgroundSchizophrenia is one of the leading public health issues in psychiatry and imposes a heavy financial burden on the healthcare systems. This study aims to report the direct medical costs and the associated factors for patients with schizophrenia in Guangzhou city, Southern China.MethodsThis was a retrospective 4-year cohort study. Data were obtained from urban health insurance claims databases of Guangzhou city, which contains patients’ sociodemographic characteristics, direct medical costs of inpatient and outpatient care. The study cohort (including all the reimbursement claims submitted for schizophrenia inpatient care during November 2010 and October 2014) was identified using the International Classification of Diseases Tenth version (F20). Their outpatient care information was merged from outpatient claims database. Descriptive analysis and the multivariate regression analysis based on Generalized Estimating Equations model were conducted.ResultsA total of 2971 patients were identified in the baseline. The cohort had a mean age of 50.3 years old, 60.6% were male, and 67.0% received medical treatment in the tertiary hospitals. The average annual length of stay was 254.7 days. The average annual total direct medical costs per patient was 41,972.4 Chinese Yuan (CNY) ($6852.5). The inpatient costs remained as the key component of total medical costs. The Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance enrollees with schizophrenia had higher average costs for hospitalization (CNY42,375.1) than the Urban Resident Basic Medical Insurance enrollees (CNY40,917.3), and had higher reimbursement rate (85.8% and 61.5%). The non-medication treatment costs accounted for the biggest proportion of inpatient costs for both schemes (55.8% and 64.7%). Regression analysis suggested that insurance type, age, hospital levels, and length of stay were significantly associated with inpatient costs of schizophrenia.ConclusionsThe direct annual medical costs of schizophrenia were high and varied by types of insurance in urban China. The findings of this study provide vital information to understand the burden of schizophrenia in China. Results of this study can help decision-makers assess the financial impact of schizophrenia.

Medical Care Costs Associated With Rheumatoid Arthritis in the US: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a morbid, mortal, and costly condition without a cure. Treatments for RA have expanded over the last 2 decades, and direct medical costs may differ by types of treatments. There has not been a systematic literature review since the introduction of new RA treatments, including biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). We conducted a systematic literature review with meta-analysis of direct medical costs associated with RA patients cared for in the US since the marketing of the first bDMARD. Standard search strategies and sources were used, and data were extracted independently by 2 reviewers. The methods and quality of included studies were assessed. Total direct medical costs as well as RA-specific costs were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis. Subgroups of interest included Medicare patients and those using bDMARDs. We found 541 potentially relevant studies, and 12 articles met the selection criteria. The quality of studies varied: one-third were poor, one-third were fair, and one-third were good. Total direct medical costs were estimated at $12,509 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 7,451-21,001) for all RA patients using any treatment regimen and $36,053 (95% CI 32,138-40,445) for bDMARD users. RA-specific costs were $3,723 (95% CI 2,408-5,762) for all RA patients using any treatment regimen and $20,262 (95% CI 17,480-23,487) for bDMARD users. The total and disease-specific direct medical costs for patients with RA is substantial. Among bDMARD users, the cost of RA care is more than half of all direct medical costs.

Direct medical costs for patients with type 2 diabetes in 16 tertiary hospitals in urban China: A multicenter prospective cohort study.

Aims/IntroductionTo investigate the direct medical costs for patients with type 2 diabetes in China and to examine the influencing factors.Materials and MethodsIn the present multicenter study, 1,070 patients with type 2 diabetes from 16 tertiary hospitals in 14 major cities of China were enrolled. Patient data and direct medical costs were collected during a follow‐up period of 6 months at intervals of 1 month. The log‐transformed direct medical costs were fitted by a generalized estimation equation to indicator variables for demographics, metabolic control, treatments, complications and comorbidities.ResultsData of 871 participants were included in the analysis. The mean annual total direct medical costs and outpatient medical costs were $1,990.20 and $1,687.20 respectively. The average costs per inpatient per admission were $2,127.10. The share of out‐of‐pocket for total medical costs, outpatient costs and cost per inpatient per admission were 45.4, 46.3 and 26.0% respectively. Independent determinants of total medical costs were diabetes duration, dyslipidemia and diabetic complications, such as neuropathy and nephropathy, as well as diabetes treatment, such as the use of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists. Costs showed prominent variation across centers.ConclusionsDiabetes is imposing a growing economic burden in patients with type 2 diabetes in China. Diabetes‐related complications and comorbidities have a great impact on the medical costs. As different health policies, economic development and regional health inequalities also have an important influence on the direct medical cost, healthcare reform needs to optimize resource allocation in health service delivery systems, and provide more equitable and affordable healthcare.

The long-term costs for treating multiple sclerosis in a 16-year retrospective cohort study in Brazil.

BackgroundMultiple Sclerosis (MS) is a disease that appreciably impacts on the quality of life of patients and is associated with high expenditure. MS is a chronic multifactorial disease, characterized by inflammation, demyelination and axonal loss. The Brazilian public health system provides pharmacological treatment as well as hospital and outpatient care for patients with relapsing-remitting and secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. However, we are not aware of any previous publications assessing total direct medical costs in patients with a long follow-up within the Brazilian healthcare system. Consequently, the objective is to analyze public spending on patients with MS to guide stakeholders in future investment and disinvestment decisions.Methods and findingsWe retrospectively analyzed public Brazilian spending on patients with MS between 2000 and 2015 using the patient-centered registry of all patients in the public health system (SUS) obtained through deterministic-probabilistic record linkage of the Outpatient Information System, Hospital Information System and Mortality Information Systems in Brazil. Descriptive data analysis and a multiple linear regression model was performed to evaluate the associations between the mean annual cost per patient and the clinical and demographic variables. The suitability of the model was verified from a residue analysis and the level of significance adopted was 5%.Results28,401 patients were identified and subsequently 23,082 patients were analyzed. The majority of the patients were female (73.3%), lived in the southeast region (58.9%), had a mean age of 36.8 (± 12.2) years and started treatment using one of the interferons beta (78.9%). The total direct medical cost spending in the sixteen years of the follow-up was US $ 2,308,393,465.60, and the mean annual expenditure per patient was US $ 13,544.40 (± 4,607.05). In the best fit model (p <0.001), approximately 40% of the variability of the mean annual cost per patient was explained by the region of residence; medication used (intention to treat); if the patient was a non-exclusive user of medicines, i.e., used SUS for other procedures other than high-cost medicines; year of treatment start; and presence of events (death; Relapse; change of treatment and/or comorbidity).ConclusionsIn the public health system of Brazil, disease modifying therapies currently represent almost all of the total direct costs of multiple sclerosis treatment. Around the world, new and emerging health technologies to treat of MS impose a challenge to health budgets, highlighting the need for cost-effectiveness studies comparing these technologies to those already available. Our regression model may help in this process, and calls attention to the need to access the real world performance of new therapies available in SUS, with the potential for disinvestment and/ or price reductions if needed.

Cost-effectiveness study of early versus late parenteral nutrition in critically ill children (PEPaNIC): preplanned secondary analysis of a multicentre randomised controlled trial

BackgroundThe multicentre randomised controlled PEPaNIC trial showed that withholding parenteral nutrition (PN) during the first week of critical illness in children was clinically superior to providing early PN. This study describes the cost-effectiveness of this new nutritional strategy.MethodsDirect medical costs were calculated with use of a micro-costing approach. We compared the costs of late versus early initiation of PN (n = 673 versus n = 670 patients) in the Belgian and Dutch study populations from a hospital perspective, using Student’s t test with bootstrapping. Main cost drivers were identified and the impact of new infections on the total costs was assessed.ResultsMean direct medical costs for patients receiving late PN (€26.680, IQR €10.090–28.830 per patient) were 21% lower (-€7.180, p = 0.007) than for patients receiving early PN (€33.860, IQR €11.080–34.720). Since late PN was more effective and less costly, this strategy was superior to early PN. The lower costs for PN only contributed 2.1% to the total cost reduction. The main cost driver was intensive care hospitalisation costs (-€4.120, p = 0.003). The patients who acquired a new infection (14%) were responsible for 41% of the total costs. Sensitivity analyses confirmed consistency across both healthcare systems.ConclusionsLate initiation of PN decreased the direct medical costs for hospitalisation in critically ill children, beyond the expected lower costs for withholding PN. Avoiding new infections by late initiation of PN yielded a large cost reduction. Hence, late initiation of PN was superior to early initiation of PN largely via its effect on new infections.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01536275. Registered on 16 February 2012.

Age- and gender-specific epidemiology, treatment patterns, and economic burden of osteoporosis and associated fracture in Taiwan between 2009 and 2013.

This nationwide study investigated the epidemiology, treatment patterns, and economic burden of osteoporosis and associated fracture between 2009 and 2013 in Taiwan. We used the National Health Insurance Research Database as our data source. The prevalence of diagnosed osteoporosis and major osteoporotic fractures was calculated annually from 2009 to 2013, stratified by age and gender. Osteoporosis patients who received any prescription of anti-osteoporosis drugs during each fiscal year were defined as osteoporosis patients under treatment. Healthcare utilization and associated direct medical costs were used to quantify the economic burden of osteoporosis. For patients who encountered major osteoporotic fracture, the incremental changes of direct medical costs attributable to fracture using a pre- and post-quasi-experimental design were estimated. Furthermore, we compared the annual direct medical costs of patients who encountered major osteoporotic fracture with those diagnosed osteoporosis only and with the general population. The prevalence of diagnosed osteoporosis increased with age, with the highest rate among those aged 80 and older. Overall, less than one-third of women and only 10% of men received anti-osteoporosis drugs among osteoporosis patients. The annual direct medical costs for osteoporosis patients increased steadily from 2009 to 2013. The total medical costs and incremental change of direct medical costs were higher in men than those in women. We found the treatment of osteoporosis to be alarmingly suboptimal, considering the significantly increased economic burden of major osteoporotic fracture also identified in this study. Osteoporosis men received lesser anti-osteoporosis drugs but had higher incremental costs attributable to major osteoporotic fractures.

Direct Medical Costs In The Year Of Mortality For Patients With Diabetes: A Population-Based Patient-Level Analysis

Estimates of direct medical cost associated with diabetes-related complications in the event and subsequent years have been quantified but costs in the mortality year have never been reported. This study aimed to estimate the direct medical costs of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in the year of mortality and the year before mortality. We analyzed a population-based, retrospective cohort study including all adults with DM managed under public sector between 2009 and 2013 in Hong Kong. Individuals died between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2013 were included in analysis. Annual direct medical costs in year of mortality and the year before mortality per patient were analyzed by gender, the presence of co-morbidities, the presence of diabetic complications (heart disease, stroke, diabetic nephropathy, or diabetic retinopathy), and primary cause of death. A total of 6,919 met the eligibility criteria for analysis. The commonest cause of death among DM patients was neoplasms (2261, 32.7%), followed by diseases of respiratory system (1725, 24.9%) and diseases of circulatory system (1113, 16.1%). On average, the direct medical costs in the year of death were 2.075 times higher than those in the year before death (US$23,256.1 vs US$11,205.2, p<0.001). Female patients had slightly higher costs in the year of mortality (US$23,337.2 vs US$23,172.8) and the year before mortality (US$11,261.5 vs US$11,147.3) than male patients. The increase in Charlson index was associated with greater costs in the mortality year. Patients with any diabetic complications had greater costs in the year of mortality (US$25,909.3 vs US$20,625.2) and before mortality (US$13,218.7 vs US$9,208.5) than those without. This analysis provided new evidence on incorporating additional direct medical cost in the mortality year, and refining total cost estimation for studies on costing and cost-effectiveness analyses of health interventions for diabetes.

Financial benefit of a smoking cessation program prior to elective colorectal surgery

BackgroundCigarette smoking increases the risk of postoperative complications nearly 2-fold. Preoperative smoking cessation programs may reduce complications as well as overall postoperative costs. We aim to create an economic evaluation framework to estimate the potential value of preoperative smoking cessation programs for patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. MethodsA decision-analytic model from the payer perspective was developed to integrate the costs and incidence of 90-day postoperative complications and readmissions for a cohort of patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery after a smoking cessation program versus usual care. Complication, readmission, and cost data were derived from a cohort of 534 current smokers and recent quitters undergoing elective colorectal resections in Washington State's Surgical Care and Outcomes Assessment Program linked to Washington State's Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System. Smoking cessation program efficacy was obtained from the literature. Sensitivity analyses were performed to account for uncertainty. ResultsFor a cohort of patients, the base case estimates imply that the total direct medical costs for patients who underwent a preoperative smoking cessation program were on average $304 (95% CI: $40-$571) lower per patient than those under usual care during the first 90 days after surgery. The model was most sensitive to the odds of recent quitters developing complications or requiring readmission, and smoking program efficacy. ConclusionsA preoperative smoking cessation program is predicted to be cost-saving over the global postoperative period if the cost of the intervention is below $304 per patient. This framework allows the value of smoking cessation programs of variable cost and effectiveness to be determined.

Costs of Managing Patients with Diabetes in a Large Health Maintenance Organization in Israel: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

IntroductionThe aim of this study was to evaluate the direct costs of patients with diabetes ensured in a large health maintenance organization, Maccabi Health Services (MHS), in order to compare the medical costs of these patients to the medical costs of other patients insured by MHS and to assess the impact of poorly controlled diabetes on medical costs.MethodsA retrospective analysis of patients insured in MHS during 2012 was performed. Data were extracted automatically from the electronic database. A glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of >9% (75 mmol/mol) was considered to define poorly controlled diabetes, and that of <7% (53 mmol/mol) and <8% (64 mmol/mol) to define controlled diabetes for patients aged <75 and ≥75 years, respectively. Multivariate analysis analyses were done to assess factors affecting cost.ResultsData on a total of 99,017 patients with diabetes were obtained from the MHS database for 2012. Of these, 54% were male and 72% were aged 45–75 years. The median annual cost of treating diabetes was 4420 cost units (CU), with hospitalization accounting for 56% of the total costs. The median annual cost per patient in the age groups 35–44 and 75–84 years was 2836 CU and 7033 CU, respectively. Differences between costs for patients with diabetes and those for patients without diabetes was 85% for the age group 45–54 years but only 24% for the age group 75-84 years. Medical costs increased similarly with age for patients with controlled diabetes and those with poorly controlled diabetes costs, as did additional co-morbidities. Costs were significantly impacted by kidney disease. The costs for patients with an HbA1c level of 8.0–8.99% (64–74 mmol/mol) and 9.0–9.99% (75–85 mmol/mol) were 5722 and 5700 CU, respectively. In a multivariate analysis the factors affecting all patients’ costs were HbA1C level, male gender, chronic diseases, complications of diabetes, disease duration, and stage of kidney function.ConclusionsThe direct medical costs of patients with diabetes were significantly higher than those of patients without diabetes. The main drivers of these higher costs were hospitalizations and renal function. In poorly controlled patients the effect of HbA1c on costs was limited. These findings suggest that it is cost effective to identify patients with diabetes early in the course of the disease.FundingThe work was sponsored by internal funds of the authors. Article processing charges for this study was funded by Novo Nordisk.

Economic burden and its associated factors of hospitalized patients infected with A (H7N9) virus: a retrospective study in Eastern China, 2013-2014.

BackgroundH7N9 continues to cause human infections and remains a pandemic concern. Understanding the economic impacts of this novel disease is important for making decisions on health resource allocation, including infectious disease prevention and control investment. However, there are limited data on such impacts.MethodsHospitalized laboratory-confirmed H7N9 patients or their families in Jiangsu Province of China were interviewed. Patients’ direct medical costs of hospitalization were derived from their hospital bills. A generalized linear model was employed to estimate the mean direct medical costs of patients with different characteristics.ResultsThe mean direct cost of hospitalization for H7N9 was estimated to be ¥ 71 060 (95 % CI, 48 180–104 820), i.e., US$ 10 996 (95 % CI, 7 455–16 220), and was ¥12 060 (US$ 1 861), ¥136 120 (US$ 21 001) and ¥218 610 (US$ 33 728) for those who had mild or severe symptoms or who died, respectively. The principal components of the total fees differed among patients with different disease severity, although medication fees were always the largest contributors. Disease severity, proportion of reimbursement and family member monthly average income were identified as the key factors that contributed to a patient’s direct medical cost of hospitalization.ConclusionsThe direct medical costs of hospitalized patients with H7N9 are significant, and far surpass the annual per capita income of Jiangsu Province, China. The influencing factors identified should be taken into account when developing related health insurance policies and making health resource allocation.Trial registrationNot applicable. This is a survey study with no health care intervention implemented on human participants.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40249-016-0170-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

AB026. Excess medical cost in patients with asthma and the role of comorbidity

Background Comorbid conditions are prevalent in asthma patients but its impact on the economic burden of asthma is not well understood. To estimate the excess direct medical costs in patients with asthma, accounting for both the costs attributable to asthma and to comorbidities.