4P Care and Adjusting Therapy for Hypothyroidism – A Potential to Reduce Costs of Healthcare and Loss of Productivity

Speaker(s)

Högqvist Tabor V, Tarasova M, Cohen-Skalli G, Dubois F, Curran B, Candea B, Murphy M
Butterfly Technologies Inc., New York, NY, USA

OBJECTIVES: Hypothyroidism affects 25 million people in the US, causing health complications and increased healthcare utilization for many patients despite well-established hormone replacement therapy.

A significant effort goes into understanding how personalized care for chronic patients can improve health outcomes, and reduce associated healthcare costs.

We focused on two complications frequently affecting hypothyroid patients: (I) fatigue – known to increase workplace absenteeism and the economic burden on healthcare payers; (II) excessive body weight – known to increase the risk of health complications and total cost of care.

Our research explored the impact of fatigue and excess weight in hypothyroid patients.

METHODS: We used the Paloma Health virtual solution to deliver comprehensive thyroid care: consultations with clinicians; condition management tools; lifestyle change courses; and a patient community.

We followed 127 patients for 3 months to assess the fatigue. BMI was calculated for 254 patients at 9-15 months after starting care.

We used a mixed methods approach: (I) to determine fatigue intensity, we used PRO on energy and tiredness, with responses recorded on a 5-point intensity scale at the time of the treatment start (t0) and at 3-month later (t1); (II) data on BMI were extracted from the EHR.

Finally, we used current published information on healthcare and productivity costs of fatigue and high body mass index.

RESULTS: We observed a significant improvement in fatigue for 70.51% of the patients; and BMI reduction significantly reduced for 21.6% of patients.

Fatigue costs ~$1400 per employee/year in absenteeism, diminished productivity, and healthcare costs. A 5% increase in BMI costs healthcare ~ $556 per person.

CONCLUSIONS: Both fatigue and high BMI contribute to increased healthcare expenditures, and are prevalent in hypothyroidism. Taking in consideration the prevalence of hypothyroidism in the general population, reducing BMI and fatigue can lead to significant health expenditures savings.

Code

CO42

Topic

Clinical Outcomes, Medical Technologies

Topic Subcategory

Clinical Outcomes Assessment

Disease

Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity), Personalized & Precision Medicine