OBJECTIVES

To evaluate and compare mental health conditions and drug utilization in patients diagnosed with and without Essential Tremors (ET), using claims data from Truven Health Analytics MarketScan database

METHODS

Using the Truven Health Analytics MarketScan® Commercial, and Medicare Supplemental databases (1/1/17-12/31/18), adult patients with ET (>22 years old) were identified. Newly diagnosed patients did not have a diagnosis for the 3 years prior to incident date. ET drug utilization in this population was used to identify type and frequency of initial prescription, as well as proportion of patients with ET who did not initiate treatment at diagnosis. The proportion of patients with mental health conditions was also identified and compared between cohorts of patients with and without ET in the commercial and Medicare Supplement setting.

RESULTS

68% of the newly diagnosed patients received 1 of the 5 drugs of interest (31% Propranolol, 15% Primidone, 14% Gabapentin). 32% of patients did not fill claims for any prescriptions within 24 months post ET diagnosis. 31.7% of ET patients with commercial coverage also received a diagnosis of depression during the 24 months post first ET claim, compared to 11.0% in the non ET cohort. (27.6% vs. 14.2% in a Medicare Supplement population). 39.3% of ET patients with commercial coverage received a diagnosis of anxiety in the same period, compared to 14.8% in the non-ET cohort. (34.1% vs. 14.4% in a Medicare Supplement population).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings in this study suggest that a considerable number of ET patients do not initiate any treatment up to 24 months post the first claim of ET. Furthermore, the findings on depression and anxiety align with those described in the literature as common comorbidities for patients with ET.