Medical and cost burden of atherosclerosis among patients treated in routine clinical practice

This investigation estimated medical costs attributable to treatment of patients diagnosed with atherosclerosis in routine US clinical practice.

Using Medstat MarketScan claims data, direct costs of care and rates of cardiovascular (CV) events (i.e., myocardial infarction, stroke, revascularization) were examined for patients≥18 years of age with and without a diagnostic code for atherosclerosis from 1/1/2002 through 12/31/2004. Patients with an atherosclerosis ICD-9 code who had no history of CV events in the preceding 12 months (n=75,469) were evaluated. A comparison cohort (n=238,702) was matched on age, gender, geographic region, enrollment time period, and Charlson comorbidity index to estimate incremental costs attributable to atherosclerosis. Differences between patient groups were tested for CV event rates per 1,000 patients and monthly costs for 6 and 12 months before and after diagnosis.

Patients had a mean age of 58 years, 52% men, and a comorbidity index of 0.49. Patients diagnosed with atherosclerosis had significantly higher (p<0.001) rates of CV events (240/1000) after diagnosis, compared with patients without atherosclerosis (32/1000). Mean direct cost of care for patients diagnosed with atherosclerosis was $579/month for 12 months before and $1,074/month for 12 months after diagnosis, an 85% increase. Change in mean annual costs pre/post-index date was $5,232 ($436/month) higher among patients with than those without atherosclerosis (p<0.001).

The study population was restricted to patients with diagnosed clinical atherosclerosis based on specific ICD-9 codes. Matching of the patient cohorts was based on observed characteristics and other unobserved differences may exist.

Patients with diagnosed atherosclerosis incur significant clinical and economic burden, indicating a need for earlier diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis to help in reducing this burden.