Epidemiology of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension In France: A Real-World Study Using the French National Healthcare Database (SNDS)
Author(s)
Marc Humbert, MD, Ph.D1, Olivier Sitbon, MD, Ph.D2, JULIA BONASTRE, PhD3, Louis Chillotti, PharmD4, Francoise BUGNARD, MSc4, Anouar Sahli, Master5, Pasquale Varriale, PhD6, Céline Hautin, PharmD7, Lauren Cagnan, PharmD8.
1Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM UMR_S999, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France, 2Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM UMR_S999, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre,, France, 3Gustave roussy, VILLEJUIF, France, 4Cytel, Oullins, France, 5steve consultants, Oullin, France, 6MSD, Puteaux, France, 7MSD France, Puteaux, France, 8HEOR manager, MSD France, Puteaux Paris, France.
1Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM UMR_S999, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France, 2Faculté de Médecine, Université Paris-Saclay, INSERM UMR_S999, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre,, France, 3Gustave roussy, VILLEJUIF, France, 4Cytel, Oullins, France, 5steve consultants, Oullin, France, 6MSD, Puteaux, France, 7MSD France, Puteaux, France, 8HEOR manager, MSD France, Puteaux Paris, France.
OBJECTIVES: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare and progressive disease. This study aims to address the informational gap about PAH epidemiology and ambulatory care in France.
METHODS: This claims cohort study used data from the SNDS between 2016 and 2022. Due to the absence of a specific ICD-10 code to identify PAH within the SNDS database, an algorithm was built in collaboration with French specialized experts to identify PAH population. Patient population was defined as adults with ≥1 dispensation of a PAH drug, or a hospitalization related to PH. Other causes of PH (groups 2 to 5) were excluded. Patients were followed from their first PAH marker (PAH drug, PH hospitalization or right heart catheterization) until the end of the follow-up or death. Main outcomes included yearly prevalence incidence and medical visits (outpatient, hospital visits).
RESULTS: In 2021, 3,259 prevalent PAH patients were identified, with an annual incidence of approximately 300 newly diagnosed cases. The prevalence of PAH increased from 3.21 per 100,000 in 2016 to 4.78 per 100,000 in 2021. The median (IQR) age of the prevalent population was 52.0 (41.0 - 64.0) years, with 68.5% of women. Furthermore, 61% of patients were followed in French PAH reference or competence centers. The median (IQR) follow-up duration was 6 (2.9-7.0) years. Overall, per patient, the mean (SD) annual number of all-cause medical visits was 1.6 (1.6), mainly to cardiologist, internal medicine specialists and pneumologists.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides recent epidemiological data on PAH in France, showing an increasing prevalence, with patients not exhaustively followed in reference centers. Further validation of the identification algorithm is essential to enhance the accuracy of PAH epidemiological data.
METHODS: This claims cohort study used data from the SNDS between 2016 and 2022. Due to the absence of a specific ICD-10 code to identify PAH within the SNDS database, an algorithm was built in collaboration with French specialized experts to identify PAH population. Patient population was defined as adults with ≥1 dispensation of a PAH drug, or a hospitalization related to PH. Other causes of PH (groups 2 to 5) were excluded. Patients were followed from their first PAH marker (PAH drug, PH hospitalization or right heart catheterization) until the end of the follow-up or death. Main outcomes included yearly prevalence incidence and medical visits (outpatient, hospital visits).
RESULTS: In 2021, 3,259 prevalent PAH patients were identified, with an annual incidence of approximately 300 newly diagnosed cases. The prevalence of PAH increased from 3.21 per 100,000 in 2016 to 4.78 per 100,000 in 2021. The median (IQR) age of the prevalent population was 52.0 (41.0 - 64.0) years, with 68.5% of women. Furthermore, 61% of patients were followed in French PAH reference or competence centers. The median (IQR) follow-up duration was 6 (2.9-7.0) years. Overall, per patient, the mean (SD) annual number of all-cause medical visits was 1.6 (1.6), mainly to cardiologist, internal medicine specialists and pneumologists.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides recent epidemiological data on PAH in France, showing an increasing prevalence, with patients not exhaustively followed in reference centers. Further validation of the identification algorithm is essential to enhance the accuracy of PAH epidemiological data.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
RWD75
Topic
Clinical Outcomes, Real World Data & Information Systems, Study Approaches
Topic Subcategory
Health & Insurance Records Systems
Disease
Cardiovascular Disorders (including MI, Stroke, Circulatory), Rare & Orphan Diseases