Unveiling the Impact: Economic and Resource Utilization Analysis of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Patients in the US
Author(s)
Kirti Kirti, MS, PharmD1, Ram Kumar Mishra, PhD2, Rajat Rakesh Dewan, MBA2, Riddhi Markan, BA, MSc1, Yashneet Kaur, BSc, Other2, Abhimanyu Roy, MBA2, Arunima Sachdev, MA Economics3, Abhinav Nayyar, MBBS, MBA2, Vikash Kumar Verma, MBA, PharmD2, Ina Kukreja, MBA, PT2, Rahul Goyal, BS Tech4, Marissa Seligman, BS Pharma3, Louis Brooks Jr, MA5.
1Optum, Noida, India, 2Optum, Gurgaon, India, 3Optum, Boston, MA, USA, 4Optum, Phoenix, AZ, USA, 5Optum, Bloomsbury, NJ, USA.
1Optum, Noida, India, 2Optum, Gurgaon, India, 3Optum, Boston, MA, USA, 4Optum, Phoenix, AZ, USA, 5Optum, Bloomsbury, NJ, USA.
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) affects 33% of epilepsy patients who continue to experience uncontrolled seizures despite trying two different anti-seizure medications. This study aimed to access the economic impact and resource utilization of DRE patients in the US.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the Optum® de-identified Market Clarity database. The study period was from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2022. The index diagnosis was defined as the initial epilepsy diagnosis and index treatment was the first prescription of antiseizure drugs. Patients should receive at least two distinct antiseizure drugs, aligning with the International League Against Epilepsy’s (ILAE) definition of DRE. Incident patients who were continuously enrolled for at least 12-month pre-index diagnosis period and 24 months post-index diagnosis period, were included. Patients without a diagnosis of epilepsy, or those without epilepsy medication prescriptions were excluded from the study. A descriptive analysis of resource utilization during pre- and post-treatment stages, was performed.
RESULTS: Total 113,412 patients were identified with DRE, with a mean age of 39 years, and 54% patients were female. Compared to pre-treatment, the average post-treatment, all-cause hospitalization costs reduced by $7,137.14 (22%, p<0.0001). Gender-specific analysis showed a reduction in ER visits (8% in females vs. 9% in males) and inpatient visits (6% in females vs. 5% in males). Major reduction in number of visits was observed across all age groups (ER, up-to 13%; inpatient, up-to 13%).
CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed a significant reduction in hospitalization cost and a reduction in post-treatment visits among DRE patients, with notable differences observed across gender and age groups. These findings highlight the impact of DRE treatment in reducing healthcare utilization, particularly in emergency and inpatient settings.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the Optum® de-identified Market Clarity database. The study period was from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2022. The index diagnosis was defined as the initial epilepsy diagnosis and index treatment was the first prescription of antiseizure drugs. Patients should receive at least two distinct antiseizure drugs, aligning with the International League Against Epilepsy’s (ILAE) definition of DRE. Incident patients who were continuously enrolled for at least 12-month pre-index diagnosis period and 24 months post-index diagnosis period, were included. Patients without a diagnosis of epilepsy, or those without epilepsy medication prescriptions were excluded from the study. A descriptive analysis of resource utilization during pre- and post-treatment stages, was performed.
RESULTS: Total 113,412 patients were identified with DRE, with a mean age of 39 years, and 54% patients were female. Compared to pre-treatment, the average post-treatment, all-cause hospitalization costs reduced by $7,137.14 (22%, p<0.0001). Gender-specific analysis showed a reduction in ER visits (8% in females vs. 9% in males) and inpatient visits (6% in females vs. 5% in males). Major reduction in number of visits was observed across all age groups (ER, up-to 13%; inpatient, up-to 13%).
CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed a significant reduction in hospitalization cost and a reduction in post-treatment visits among DRE patients, with notable differences observed across gender and age groups. These findings highlight the impact of DRE treatment in reducing healthcare utilization, particularly in emergency and inpatient settings.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
EE147
Topic
Economic Evaluation
Topic Subcategory
Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies
Disease
SDC: Neurological Disorders