Real-World Study on Treatment Patterns and Economic Burden of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain in China
Author(s)
Yingying Shen, Master, Xiaoning He, PhD.
Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.
Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate treatment patterns and the economic burden associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP) in China.
METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using Hospital Information System (HIS) data from more than 80 tertiary and secondary hospitals in Tianjin, China. DPN patients identified between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, were classified into DPNP and non-painful DPN groups. DPNP cohort entry was defined by the first diagnosis or relevant prescription, with non-painful DPN patients age- and sex-matched. The baseline period was one year before cohort entry, and follow-up lasted one year or until death within that year. Patient characteristics during the baseline period and healthcare utilization and costs during the follow-up were analyzed. For DPNP patients, treatment patterns included medication use, adherence, and persistence.
RESULTS: The study included 9,734 DPNP patients (4.51%) and 206,191 non-painful DPN patients (95.49%). Among DPNP patients, 99.64% had prescription records, with Anticonvulsants being most common. Medication adherence was low, with 63.30% having 0-14 days of coverage and 27.69% having 15-29 days. DPNP patients had more comorbidities and significantly higher healthcare utilization annually: more outpatient visits (25.20 vs. 18.32), hospital admissions (0.78 vs. 0.34), and longer stays (8.99 vs. 3.23 days) than non-painful DPN patients (P < 0.05). DPNP patients also incurred higher healthcare costs, averaging CNY48,689.80 annually, compared to CNY24,883.37 for non-painful DPN (difference of CNY23,806.43, P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Compared to non-painful DPN patients DPNP patients from Tianjin have poor treatment outcomes, low medication adherence, and higher healthcare utilization, especially hospitalizations.
METHODS: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted using Hospital Information System (HIS) data from more than 80 tertiary and secondary hospitals in Tianjin, China. DPN patients identified between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, were classified into DPNP and non-painful DPN groups. DPNP cohort entry was defined by the first diagnosis or relevant prescription, with non-painful DPN patients age- and sex-matched. The baseline period was one year before cohort entry, and follow-up lasted one year or until death within that year. Patient characteristics during the baseline period and healthcare utilization and costs during the follow-up were analyzed. For DPNP patients, treatment patterns included medication use, adherence, and persistence.
RESULTS: The study included 9,734 DPNP patients (4.51%) and 206,191 non-painful DPN patients (95.49%). Among DPNP patients, 99.64% had prescription records, with Anticonvulsants being most common. Medication adherence was low, with 63.30% having 0-14 days of coverage and 27.69% having 15-29 days. DPNP patients had more comorbidities and significantly higher healthcare utilization annually: more outpatient visits (25.20 vs. 18.32), hospital admissions (0.78 vs. 0.34), and longer stays (8.99 vs. 3.23 days) than non-painful DPN patients (P < 0.05). DPNP patients also incurred higher healthcare costs, averaging CNY48,689.80 annually, compared to CNY24,883.37 for non-painful DPN (difference of CNY23,806.43, P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Compared to non-painful DPN patients DPNP patients from Tianjin have poor treatment outcomes, low medication adherence, and higher healthcare utilization, especially hospitalizations.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-09, ISPOR Real-World Evidence Summit 2025, Tokyo, Japan
Value in Health Regional, Volume 49S (September 2025)
Code
RWD216
Topic Subcategory
Distributed Data & Research Networks
Disease
SDC: Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity)