Abstract Details

Title Economic Outcomes Associated with Behavioral Symptoms among Commercially Insured Patients with Dementia in the US

Topic Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology

Presentation(s) S2 - Behavioral Neurology (1:24 PM-1:36 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 003

Background Limited data exist regarding economic consequences of behavioral symptoms (BS) in dementia, despite its significant patient care implications.

Objective

This study examined healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs associated with BS among commercially enrolled older adults with dementia in the US.

Design/Methods A retrospective observational study was conducted using the IBM® MarketScan® Commercial Claims and Encounters (CCAE) and Medicare Supplemental Database. Patients aged ≥ 65 years, diagnosed with dementia (4/2016-9/2018) with continuous enrollment 6-months prior (baseline-period) and 12-months post (follow-up period) the first diagnosis date were included. Patients with BS were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, (ICD-10) diagnostic codes in the claims data for specific symptoms of agitation, aggression, psychosis, delirium, and wandering. All-cause healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs were compared between dementia patients with BS and those dementia patients without BS using generalized linear models adjusting for patient characteristics.

Results The study cohort encompassed 62,901 older adults with a diagnosis of dementia, of which the prevalence of BS was 17% based on coded claims. Among patients with BS, the average (Standard deviation (SD)) age was 84.4 (7.6) years, were mostly females (60%), resided in urban areas (75%), and had Comprehensive health-plan type (53%). During the follow-up period, adjusted annual all-cause hospitalizations (0.98 vs. 0.47), outpatient visits (24.40 vs. 16.94), and emergency department visits (2.45 vs. 1.21) were all higher among patients having BS than those without BS. Mean total adjusted annual per-patient cost of care was $63,268 in dementia patients with BS versus $33,383 for those without BS.

Conclusions About one is six older adults with dementia have BS based on the claims-based diagnosis. These patients with BS are associated with a significant burden in terms of HCRU and costs. Concerted efforts are needed to manage BS in order to reduce the economic burden associated with BS.

Authors/Disclosures
Rezaul Khandker PRESENTER	Rezaul Khandker has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Merck & Co., Inc.. Rezaul Khandker has stock in Merck & Co., Inc..
Farid Chekani, PhD (Merck & Co. Inc)	Mr. Chekani has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Merck & Co., Inc..
	No disclosure on file
	No disclosure on file
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