Prevalence of Pulmonary Embolism Among Medicare Enrollees: A Six-Year Perspective

OBJECTIVES: Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is a significant public health concern. Understanding the trends in the prevalence of PE among Medicare beneficiaries can inform targeted interventions. However, recent data on PE trends stratified by patient demographics and healthcare settings remain limited. This study investigates the trends in prevalence of PE among Medicare beneficiaries from 2017 to 2022, stratified by demographics and healthcare setting

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using Medicare 5% standard analytical files. All adults with a diagnosis (any position) of PE in any setting between 1/1/2017 and 12/31/2022 were identified. Prevalence estimates were calculated separately for the general population and stratified by age, sex, and healthcare setting.

RESULTS: Between 2017 and 2022, there was a higher PE prevalence in 2022 (1.12%) compared to 2017 (0.99%), with a decline in 2017 (0.99%). Among those aged 65+, the PE prevalence ranged from 786 to 947 cases/100,000 enrollees between 2017 and 2022. The prevalence of PE was higher for females (553 to 616 cases/100,000 enrollees) than for males (438 to 502 cases/100,000 enrollees). The number of patients with PE seeking care in healthcare settings varied, with more patients in office settings (339 to 398 PE cases/100,000 enrollees) as compared to emergency departments (59 to 79 PE cases/100,000 enrollees).

CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals an upward trend in PE prevalence among Medicare beneficiaries from 2017 to 2022, with significant variations across demographics and healthcare settings. The observed trends underscore the need for effective therapies to treat PE in this population. Additionally, further research is warranted to explore the underlying factors contributing to these trends.