Economic Burden of Postsurgical Chronic Hypoparathyroidism: A US Medicare Claims Retrospective Analysis

Approximately 75% of hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT) cases result from removal of or injury to parathyroid glands during anterior neck surgery. HypoPT persisting 6 months following surgery carries a significant economic burden. This study aims to describe the economic burden of postsurgical chronic HypoPT in the Medicare population.

Data from the Medicare 100% Limited Data Set between July 1, 2017, and March 31, 2020, were utilized to identify newly diagnosed adults with a confirmed HypoPT diagnosis (n = 1,166) after surgery (index) and their healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs compared with those of control patients who were non-HypoPT (n = 11,258). Continuous enrollment for ≥ 6 months pre- and ≥ 12 months post-index was required. Individuals with postsurgical chronic HypoPT were matched 1:2 to controls on age, gender, race, region, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, and index year. Three economic burden definitions for HCRU and costs were evaluated in unmatched and matched groups: all-cause, direct HypoPT, and HypoPT plus related long-term complications.

Compared with matched controls (n = 1,107), individuals with postsurgical chronic HypoPT (n = 607) had significant differences in baseline number of hospitalizations (0.53 vs. 0.14), outpatient visits (11.40 vs. 1.51), and total medical costs (US$160,899 vs. $21,288). Over a median of 31 months of follow-up, mean all-cause total medical costs per patient per year (PPPY) were significantly higher among individuals with postsurgical chronic HypoPT ($227,036 vs. $109,306; P < 0.001), largely attributable to higher all-cause medical utilization among the postsurgical chronic HypoPT group (0.72 vs. 0.37 hospitalizations PPPY; 14.4 vs. 7.44 outpatient visits PPPY). Multivariable regression analysis showed that all-cause cost burden among patients with postsurgical chronic HypoPT was 1.57-3.00 times higher, depending on adjustment for baseline renal comorbidities, compared with controls.

The economic burden of postsurgical chronic HypoPT in patients who use Medicare is substantial, highlighting the need for innovative treatments to improve outcomes and quality of life.