Administrative Frequency of Alopecia Areata and Clinical Characteristics in a Colombian HMO: a Real-World Data Characterization For 2015-2023
Author(s)
Carlos J. Bello, QF1, Juan Manuel Reyes Sanchez, MSc2, Luz E. Perez Jaramillo, MSc1, Julian Espitia, MD2, Farley J. Gonzalez, MSc3, Jair A. Arciniegas, MSc2, Jhon E. Bolaños, MSc, MD1, Andreina J. Alamo, BSc2, Mónica García, MSc2, Luisa Amador, MD2, Alejandra Toro, MD1;
1Biociencias-Sura, Medellín, Colombia, 2Pfizer, Bogotá, Colombia, 3Biociencias - Sura, Medellín, Colombia
1Biociencias-Sura, Medellín, Colombia, 2Pfizer, Bogotá, Colombia, 3Biociencias - Sura, Medellín, Colombia
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: To estimate the administrative frequency of alopecia areata (AA) and measure its demographic and clinical characteristics in a Colombian Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) between 2015 and 2023.
METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive and cohort study of patients with AA between 2015 and 2023 was conducted. Patients with an ICD-10th code related to AA (L63.0 to L63.9) were included in the study. The index date was defined as the time when the patient is diagnosed AA and they were followed until death, HMO insurance discontinuation (patient loss), 5-year follow-up, or the end of the observation period (31 December 2023), whichever occurred first. Patient demographics, disease subtype, comorbidities, treatment and medical care were assessed at index, in addition treatment and medical care were evaluated as well during follow-up. All data were extracted from the HMO administrative health records.
RESULTS: A total of 62,516 patients were included in the study, most of them had a diagnosis of unspecified alopecia (66.1%), were adults (86.9%) - especially between 18 and 44 years old (65.9%), female (67.7%) and presented comorbidities such as anxiety disorders (23.8%), allergic rhinitis (22.3%), primary hypertension (18.2%), obesity (17.6%), dyslipidemia (16.8%). The administrative prevalence of AA exhibited an upward trend, starting at 1,271.3 per 100,000 persons in 2015. Despite a slight impact from the COVID pandemic in 2020, which saw a rate of 1,276.8 per 100,000, the growth trajectory continued, peaking at 1,495.6 per 100,000 in 2023. On the other hand, the administrative incidence, showed a downward pattern, in 2015 was 211.7 per 100,000 and in 2023 dropped to 184.2 per 100,000.
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with AA were females, working-age adults and had anxiety disorders as a main comorbidity. The annual administrative prevalence has been growing consistently since 2015 while the administrative incidence has been declining since that year.
METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive and cohort study of patients with AA between 2015 and 2023 was conducted. Patients with an ICD-10th code related to AA (L63.0 to L63.9) were included in the study. The index date was defined as the time when the patient is diagnosed AA and they were followed until death, HMO insurance discontinuation (patient loss), 5-year follow-up, or the end of the observation period (31 December 2023), whichever occurred first. Patient demographics, disease subtype, comorbidities, treatment and medical care were assessed at index, in addition treatment and medical care were evaluated as well during follow-up. All data were extracted from the HMO administrative health records.
RESULTS: A total of 62,516 patients were included in the study, most of them had a diagnosis of unspecified alopecia (66.1%), were adults (86.9%) - especially between 18 and 44 years old (65.9%), female (67.7%) and presented comorbidities such as anxiety disorders (23.8%), allergic rhinitis (22.3%), primary hypertension (18.2%), obesity (17.6%), dyslipidemia (16.8%). The administrative prevalence of AA exhibited an upward trend, starting at 1,271.3 per 100,000 persons in 2015. Despite a slight impact from the COVID pandemic in 2020, which saw a rate of 1,276.8 per 100,000, the growth trajectory continued, peaking at 1,495.6 per 100,000 in 2023. On the other hand, the administrative incidence, showed a downward pattern, in 2015 was 211.7 per 100,000 and in 2023 dropped to 184.2 per 100,000.
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with AA were females, working-age adults and had anxiety disorders as a main comorbidity. The annual administrative prevalence has been growing consistently since 2015 while the administrative incidence has been declining since that year.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
EPH132
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
SDC: Sensory System Disorders (Ear, Eye, Dental, Skin)