ライム病と医療費

科学分野:

• Infectious Diseases; Public Health; Health Economics

背景:

• Lyme disease (LD) is the most prevalent vector-borne illness in the United States, with increasing incidence and geographic spread.; Understanding the economic impact of LD, including patient out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses, is crucial due to its growing prevalence.

研究 の 目的:

• To evaluate the healthcare costs associated with LD diagnoses in a large US population.; To stratify costs based on localized versus disseminated disease presentations.

主な方法:

• A retrospective cohort study utilizing deidentified claims and electronic health records from Optum Market Clarity (December 2014 - January 2023).; Patients with LD diagnoses were identified and categorized into localized, disseminated, or indeterminate disease.; Healthcare costs were assessed using multiple methods, including episode-specific costs, baseline vs. follow-up comparisons, and case-control analyses, considering both direct and OOP costs.

主要な成果:

• The study included 70,531 LD case patients. Estimated direct costs for LD were substantial, with episode costs averaging $2227.; All-cause 6-month follow-up costs were significantly higher for LD patients compared to baseline and control groups, ranging from $3304 to $5571.; Mean OOP costs attributed to LD ranged from $188 to $399. Annual US costs for LD were estimated between $591 million and $1.05 billion, with $411-$771 million linked to disseminated disease.

結論:

• Lyme disease imposes a significant financial burden on both the healthcare system and patients, particularly in cases of disseminated disease.; The findings emphasize the critical need for implementing effective preventive measures to mitigate the economic impact of LD.