scholarly journals Healthcare resource utilization and costs associated with hyperkalemia in a large managed care population

Author(s):  
Ajay Sharma ◽  
Paula J Alvarez ◽  
Steven D Woods ◽  
Jeanene Fogli ◽  
Dingwei Dai

Abstract Background Hyperkalemia is a serious metabolic condition and can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. Guideline-directed medications that affect the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis can increase serum potassium and may limit their use. Hyperkalemia has been shown to drive healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and costs for patients with cardiorenal conditions. Objectives To describe hyperkalemic patient characteristics and quantify patient HRU and costs relative to normokalemic patients from a large US health plan. Methods A retrospective cohort study that identified and evaluated a hyperkalemic patient population from a large administrative claims database. The observation period was 1 January 2015 to 31 May 2018, with a 1-year follow-up period after the index date (the earliest service/claim with evidence of hyperkalemia). Primary patient outcomes included inpatient admissions, emergency department (ED) visits, primary care physician (PCP)/specialist visits, length of stay (LOS) and associated medical and pharmacy costs. This hyperkalemic cohort was stratified by renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor (RAASi) utilization and chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage for the economic analysis. Key findings 86,129 adult patients with hyperkalemia were evaluated in the study cohort (median age: 69 years). There were more males [45,155 (52%)], with the majority of patients located in the Southern United States [45,541 (51%)] and a 70/30 split of Medicare to a commercial health plan. Most patients had CKD, hypertension and hyperlipidemia; ≥80% of the patients had ≥4 comorbidities. Over 40% of patients were not receiving RAASi therapy, and potassium binder use was low (<5%). Patients using optimal-dose RAASi with proportion of days covered ≥80% were observed to have the lowest HRU for inpatient admissions, ED and PCP visits and LOS days. Conclusions Hyperkalemia is associated with substantial HRU and costs. The development of a quality improvement program structured around the management of hyperkalemia in individuals with heart failure, diabetes and/or CKD may be necessary.

10.36469/9889 ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-74
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Blanchette ◽  
Şerban R. Iorga ◽  
Aylin Altan ◽  
Jerry G. Seare ◽  
Ying Fan ◽  
...  

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a hereditary nephropathy, eventually leads to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), typically by mid-life. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess real-world healthcare resource utilization and cost among commercially insured (COM) and Medicare Advantage (MAPD) ADPKD patients in addition to the cost profile by chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage. Methods: Patients diagnosed with ADPKD (two or more claims) with ≥30 days of continuous medical and pharmacy benefits and no evidence of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease were selected (Optum Research Database and Impact National Benchmarking Database: 1/1/06–8/31/12). Plan and patient paid healthcare costs and resource utilization per patient per month (PPPM) were described in total and by insurance type. CKD stage was established based on serum creatinine laboratory values or dialysis-related codes. Adjusted, CKD stage-specific costs were predicted for 4 years using regression models. Results: Of the 36,253,096 patients in the databases (1/1/06-8/31/12), 5,051 had evidence of ADPKD. Following exclusion criteria, 4,356 COM and 468 MAPD ADPKD patients remained. Total healthcare resource utilization and costs were high, and costs increased substantially from CKD stage 1–5. PPPM healthcare costs were 37% for ADPKD management and 52% for dialysis services. Predicted 4-year healthcare costs by CKD stage were $40,164 (stage 1), $33,397 (stage 2), $42,686 (stage 3), $148,402 (stage 4), and $207,548 (stage 5). Conclusions: Healthcare resource utilization and costs associated with ADPKD were substantial, irrespective of payer type, and primarily driven by CKD stage. Of the total healthcare costs, 88% were ADPKD- and dialysis-related. Most impactful was the spike in predicted cost when patients progressed from CKD stage 3 to stage 4 (by 348%) after multivariate adjustment. These stage 4–associated costs are primarily due to ultimate progression into stage 5 and ESRD within the 4-year time frame.


Author(s):  
Stephanie Chen ◽  
An-Chen Fu ◽  
Rahul Jain ◽  
Hiangkiat Tan

Background: Metoprolol is a commonly prescribed β-blocker for hypertension in the US. Evidence suggests that the vasodilating β1-blocker, nebivolol, is superior to non-vasodilating beta-blockers, such as metoprolol, in lowering central blood pressure, an effect which is thought to be highly correlated to future cardiovascular (CV) risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate CV-related healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs before and after patients switched from metoprolol to nebivolol for hypertension treatment. Methods: This retrospective study utilized medical and pharmacy claims from HealthCore-Integrated-Research-Database with 14 US commercial health plans representing over 33 million lives. The study cohort included only patients who were initially taking metoprolol for at least 6 months (pre-period) and then switched to nebivolol and remained on it for at least 6 months (post-period). The date of switching to nebivolol between 1/1/ 2008 and 12/31/2012 was defined as the index date. Patients were excluded if they had angina, myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure (compelling indications for metoprolol but not for nebivolol); unstable regimen of background antihypertensive medication at the drug class level; or did not have continuous health plan enrollment during these two periods. CV-related HCRU (per-100 patient-per-month) and costs (per-patient-per-month (PPPM)) were calculated for pre- and post- periods respectively by type of service - hospitalizations (INP), emergency room (ER) visits, and outpatient (OP) visits. Bootstrapping t-test was used to compare the differences of HCRU and costs between these two periods. Results: There were 765 patients included in the study with mean age 55(±11)years, 59% males and mean Deyo-Charlson Comorbidity Index (DCI) score of 0.5(±0.9). Relative to pre-period, the number of CV-related ER visits and CV-related OP visits per-100 patient-per-month were significantly lower in the post-period (ER: 0.17±1.88 vs.0.04±0.84, p=0.012; OP: 9.2±19.9 vs. 6.7±17.5, p<0.001). No differences were observed in number of CV-related INP visits. Additionally, relative to the pre-period, the ER cost and the total CV-related medical were significantly lower in the post-period (ER: $6 ±$78 vs. $1±$27 PPPM, p=0.028; total CV-related medical costs: $94±$526 vs. $54±$266 PPPM, p=0.020). There were no differences found in INP or OP costs. Conclusions: This study suggests that hypertensive patients switching from metoprolol to nebivolol have lower CV-related ER and OP visits as well as lower total CV-related medical costs, despite higher pharmacy costs after switching from a generic to a branded drug. Further studies are needed to identify these key drivers.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chien-Chia Chuang ◽  
Edward Lee ◽  
Erru Yang ◽  
Sabyasachi Ghosh ◽  
Alie Tawah ◽  
...  

Background: Newer classes of oral anti-diabetic medications affect not only HbA1c but also weight and blood pressure (BP); however, the use and effects may be limited in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). To better understand the potential value of newer anti-diabetic medications, we assessed the individual and collective contribution of these co-existing conditions on healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and costs within a large US T2DM patient population. Methods: This study analyzed electronic health records from integrated delivery networks across the US between 2008 and 2012. Beginning at first evidence of T2DM diagnosis, adults with T2DM and medical and laboratory data observed were categorized by CKD, BP, HbA1c, and obesity status as observed in the 12-month post-index period.CKD stage 5 patients were excluded. HRU was assessed during the 12-month post-index period (i.e., physician office, outpatient, and emergency room [ER) visits and hospitalizations). Unit costs were assigned to HRU to estimate total medical costs. Regression models were performed to assess the association between clinical variables and HRU/costs. Results: The final study sample included 23,492 T2DM patients (mean age: 60.7 years; female: 52.2%). More advanced CKD and a higher systolic BP were associated with a higher risk of hospitalization/ER visits and more outpatient/physician visits. Higher HbA1c levels were associated with a higher risk of hospitalization/ER visits. The relationship between body mass index (BMI) and HRU varied. Compared to overweight patients, normal/underweight patients had significantly greater risk of being hospitalized and ER visits, while patients with obesity classes 1-3 had similar risk. CKD stage 1, 2, 3A, 3B, and 4 had total costs of 1.18, 1.17, 1.44, 1.54, and 1.80 times those of patients without CKD (all p<0.01). Compared to patients with HbA1c <7%, those with an HbA1c 7.5%-<8%, 8%-<9%, and ≥9% had 1.07, 1.17, and 1.24 times of total costs, respectively (all p<0.05). Patients with systolic BP 130-<140 and ≥140 mmHg had total costs 1.12 and 2.30 times those of patients with systolic BP<130mmHg (both p<0.01). Normal/underweight and obesity stage 1, 2, 3 patients showed a non-linear trend of having total costs of 1.13, 0.91, 0.92 and 1.07 times those of overweight patients, respectively (all p<0.01). Conclusions: Among T2DM patients, t here is a positive relationship between CKD, BP, and HbA1c on HRU/costs. These findings highlight the importance of managing comorbid conditions in T2DM patients. Future studies should investigate reasons for the relationships we observed between BMI and HRU/costs.


Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 532-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xue Song ◽  
Pranav Gandhi ◽  
Adrienne M Gilligan ◽  
Prachi Arora ◽  
Caroline Henriques ◽  
...  

Abstract INTRODUCTION: In the pivotal Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Anticoagulant Therapy (RE-LY) clinical trial, dabigatran was associated with lower rates of stroke and systemic embolism compared to adjusted-dose warfarin. However, real-world evidence comparing stroke- and bleed-specific healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), costs, length of stay (LOS) per hospitalization and readmissions in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients newly treated with dabigatran or warfarin is limited. METHODS: Using a nationwide administrative claims database in the US, a retrospective matched-cohort of newly diagnosed NVAF patients aged ≥18 years treated with dabigatran or warfarin in 01/01/2011-12/31/2013 was evaluated. Index date was the first dabigatran or warfarin claim date. All patients had data for 12 months before the index date and a maximum follow-up of 12 months or until discontinuation or switch, disenrollment, end of study period, or inpatient death. Propensity scores were used to match dabigatran and warfarin users 1:1. Stroke or bleed-specific HCRU and costs were defined as hospitalizations with stroke or bleed as the primary discharge diagnosis and outpatient claims with stroke or bleed diagnosis in any position. Percentage and incidence rate (IR) of first stroke or bleed per 100 person-years and associated 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported. Stroke- and bleed-specific per-patient-per-year (PPPY) HCRU and costs were analyzed for all patients. Among those with a hospitalization for stroke or bleed, LOS and readmissions of patients who were admitted and discharged home were reported. Cox regression examined the risk of stroke or bleed and logistic regression assessed the impact on stroke- and bleed-specific readmission between dabigatran and warfarin users. RESULTS: A total of 18,980 dabigatran patients were matched to corresponding warfarin patients. Of these, the percentage of dabigatran patients with stroke (0.5%, n=87 vs 0.8%, n=142; P<0.001) or bleed (1.2%, n=227 vs 1.6%, n=294; P=0.003) was significantly lower than warfarin patients. The IR (95% CI) of stroke [0.65 (0.51-0.78) vs. 1.06 (0.89-1.24)] and bleed [1.69 (1.47-1.91) vs. 2.20 (1.95-2.46)] was also lower in dabigatran patients compared to warfarin patients. After adjustment, compared to warfarin patients, the hazard ratio (HR) of having a first stroke or bleed was significantly lower in dabigatran patients [(HR = 0.60 (95% CI = 0.46-0.79)) and (HR = 0.76 (95% CI = 0.64-0.91)), respectively]. Among all NVAF patients, dabigatran users had a significantly lower number of stroke-specific hospitalizations (0.007 vs 0.013, P<0.001) and outpatient visits (0.304 vs 0.450, P<0.001) compared to warfarin patients. Similarly, dabigatran users had significantly lower bleed-specific hospitalizations (0.024 vs 0.035, P=0.008) and outpatient visits (0.820 vs 0.920, P=0.018). Dabigatran users had significantly lower stroke-specific outpatient visit costs ($84 vs $144, P=0.01) and bleed-specific hospitalization costs ($360 vs $612, P=0.007). There was no significant difference observed in stroke-specific hospitalization costs and bleed-specific outpatient costs between the two groups. Among dabigatran patients with a stroke or bleed, average LOS was significantly lower compared to warfarin patients [(4.74 days vs 5.70 days) and (4.30 days vs 4.60 days), both P<0.001]. Stroke-related 30-day readmissions did not significantly differ between dabigatran and warfarin patients (0.4%, n=14 vs 0.6%, n=25, P=0.078). However, the odds of stroke-related readmission were significantly lower in dabigatran compared to warfarin users [Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.59 (95% CI = 0.51-0.69)]. Bleed-related 30-day readmissions were significantly lower for dabigatran than warfarin users (0.8%, n=30 vs. 1.5%, n=59, P=0.002); similar results were found after adjustment [OR=0.54 (95% CI = 0.47-0.63)]. CONCLUSION: Using real-world data of newly diagnosed NVAF patients, dabigatran users had a lower risk of stroke or bleed than warfarin users. Dabigatran users had lower stroke- and bleed-specific HCRU (including LOS per hospitalization), and lower odds of stroke- and bleed-specific readmissions compared to warfarin users. Also, costs associated with bleed-specific hospitalizations and stroke-specific outpatient visits were significantly lower for dabigatran users compared to warfarin users. Disclosures Song: Truven Health Analytics: Employment; Amgen: Other: This study was funded by Amgen.. Gilligan:Truven Health Analytics, an IBM Company: Employment. Sander:Boehringer Ingelheim: Employment. Smith:Truven Health Analytics: Employment.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S435-S436
Author(s):  
Jianbin Mao ◽  
Micheal Johnson ◽  
Jeffrey Mcpheeters ◽  
Girish Prajapati ◽  
Andrew Beyer

Abstract Background Initial antiretroviral therapy (ART) is modified for non-virologic failure reasons in many patients, and the healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and costs associated with these switches in the real world is not well understood. Methods Administrative claims data from the Optum Research and Impact National Benchmark Databases were utilized. Adult patients (≥18 years) with HIV-1 diagnosis code, and claim for an anchor agent of the protease inhibitor (PI) or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) class in first-line ART between July 1, 2006 and December 31, 2015 were identified (see Figure 1 for addl. criteria). Patients with a claim for an anchor agent (PI or NNRTI) different from that in first-line ART were defined as switchers, with index date as date of first claim for new anchor agent. Switchers were matched to patients who did not switch (non-switchers) at 1:3 ratio using propensity score matching on patient and first-line ART characteristics. For non-switchers, date following corresponding duration of first-line ART in matched switcher was assigned as index date. Per-patient-per-month (PPPM) all-cause HRU and costs (US$) during switch period (±15 days of index date) were compared descriptively. Results 11,302 patients met study criteria. After matching, switcher (1,204) and non-switcher (3,612) groups were comparable on mean age (41.9 vs. 41.7 years), percent male (85.8% vs. 82.6%), percent commercial enrollee (96.0% vs. 95.8%), mean Quan-Charlson comorbidity index score (both 0.4), and mean ART pill burden (both 2.2) with standard difference less than absolute value of 10%. During switch period, switchers had higher mean PPPM ambulatory visits (2.30 vs. 1.26), emergency room visits (0.12 vs. 0.06), inpatient stays (0.04 vs. 0.01), and pharmacy fills (4.52 vs. 3.01) than non-switchers (all P &lt; 0.001). Switchers also incurred greater mean PPPM costs during switch than non-switchers, with an additional $2,261/month total cost, and $1,031/month pharmacy cost (Figure 2). Conclusion The study gives a more complete view of the burden of switching initial ART with pharmacy costs driving this burden. Assuming some patients will switch regardless of the regimen selected, less expensive initial ART could reduce this burden further. Disclosures M. Johnson, Merk & Co: Research Contractor, research funded by Merk; J. Mcpheeters, Merck & Co.: Research Contractor, Sarary from Optum; G. Prajapati, Merck & Co., Inc.: Employee, Salary; A. Beyer, Merck & Co., Inc: Employee and Shareholder, Salary


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