Racial Disparities in PAD-Related Amputation Rates among Native Americans and non-Hispanic Whites: An HCUP Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This study analyzed the impact of sociodemographic characteristics, patient comorbidities, risk factors for critical limb ischemia and hospital characteristics on racial disparities in amputation rates for Native American patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: The study used the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Program inpatient discharge data from 2006-2013 for patients with a primary diagnosis of PAD. Multivariable models using the Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition method were estimated to isolate the impact of individual covariates to identify determinants of amputation rates for Native Americans compared with non-Hispanic Whites. RESULTS: Region of the country made a difference in this analysis with Native Americans residing in the West Census Region being twice as likely to undergo amputation as non-Hispanic Whites. CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, patient comorbidities, and hospital characteristics, Native Americans with PAD who reside in the West Census Region are substantially more likely to undergo amputation than are non-Hispanic Whites.

Hospital cost impact of orbital atherectomy with angioplasty for critical limb ischemia treatment: a modeling approach.

AIM: The incremental cost of peripheral orbital atherectomy system (OAS) plus balloon angioplasty (BA) versus BA-only for critical limb ischemia was estimated. MATERIALS & METHODS: A deterministic simulation model used clinical and healthcare utilization data from the CALCIUM 360° trial and current cost data. Incremental cost of OAS + BA versus BA-only included differential utilization during the procedure and adverse-event costs at 3, 6 and 12-months. RESULTS: For every 100 procedures, incremental annual costs to the hospital were US$350,930 lower with OAS + BA compared with BA-only. Despite higher upfront costs, savings were realized due to reduced need for revascularization, amputation and end-of-life care over 6-12-month postoperative period. CONCLUSION: Atherectomy with OAS prior to BA was associated with cost savings to the hospital.

Risk of major amputation or death among patients with critical limb ischemia initially treated with endovascular intervention, surgical bypass, minor amputation, or conservative management.

AIMS: Patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) have an increased risk of major amputation. The initial treatment approach for CLI may significantly impact the subsequent risk of major amputation or death. The objective of this study was to describe the initial treatment approaches of patients with CLI and the limb outcomes associated with each approach. METHODS: Data from MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Databases from January 2006-December 2014 was utilized. Cohorts of CLI patients were defined as follows: (1) peripheral vascular intervention (PVI); (2) peripheral vascular surgery (PVS); (3) minor amputation without concomitant PVI or PVS (MinAMP); and (4) Patients without PVI, PVS, or MinAMP (conservative therapy). The odds of major amputation or inpatient death were estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model. For those patients requiring a major amputation, the incremental expenditures per member per month (PMPM) were estimated using a gamma log-link model. RESULTS: Conservative therapy was associated with significantly higher odds of major amputation or inpatient death compared to patients who underwent minor amputation (1.59-times), PVI (2.08-times), or PVS (2.12-times). Patients treated with an initial strategy of minor amputation also had higher odds of major amputation or inpatient death compared to PVS (1.31-times) or PVI (1.33-times). The estimated incremental expenditures PMPM for patients with a major amputation was $5,165. CONCLUSIONS: Revascularization reduces the risk of a major amputation or inpatient death for patients with CLI when compared to conservative therapy. Major amputation is also associated with significantly higher healthcare expenditures.

Explaining Racial Disparities in Amputation Rates for the Treatment of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Using Decomposition Methods.

INTRODUCTION: While studies have documented racial and ethnic disparities in amputation rates for patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), the importance of specific factors has not been quantified. This research seeks to provide such evidence and to quantify how much of the difference reflects observable versus unexplained factors. METHODS: This study used the nationally representative HCUP inpatient database from 2006 to 2013 for patients with a primary diagnosis of PAD who were either Caucasian, African-American, or Hispanic. Multivariable logistic regression models were estimated to identify the determinants of amputation rates. RESULTS: Multivariable results revealed that African-Americans and Hispanics are approximately twice as likely to be amputated as are Caucasians. Observed factors in the models collectively account for 51 to 55 % of the disparities for African-Americans and 64 to 69 % for Hispanics. The results suggest that African-Americans and Hispanics have less access to care, because they are being admitted when sicker and more likely on an emergent basis. CONCLUSIONS: Racial and ethnic disparities in amputation rates are substantial, with disease severity and hospital admission source being key factors.

Osteoarthritis and absenteeism costs: evidence from US National Survey Data.

OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to quantify the effects of osteoarthritis on the cost of absenteeism from work. METHODS: This study performs multivariable analyses to examine the relationships between osteoarthritis and annual cost to employers that is associated with absenteeism. The cost is measured as the probability of absenteeism, days missed from work, and their dollar values, all indirect costs. RESULTS: Osteoarthritis leads to a significantly higher probability of absenteeism and more days missed from work. Osteoarthritis increases annual per capita absenteeism costs by $469 for female workers and by $520 for male workers. This is equivalent to approximately 3 lost workdays. Aggregate annual absenteeism costs are $10.3 billion (women = $5.5 billion; men = $4.8 billion). CONCLUSIONS: Aggregate annual absenteeism costs of osteoarthritis are quite substantial as measured by the probability of absenteeism, days missed from work, and their dollar values, compared with other major chronic diseases.

Insurer and out-of-pocket costs of osteoarthritis in the US: evidence from national survey data.

OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major debilitating disease affecting approximately 27 million persons in the US. Yet, the financial costs to patients and insurers remain poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to quantify by multivariate analyses the relationships between OA and annual health care expenditures borne by patients and insurers. METHODS: Data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) for the years 1996-2005 were used. MEPS is a large, nationally representative US database that includes information on health care expenditures, medical conditions, health insurance status, and sociodemographic characteristics. Individual and nationally aggregated cost estimates are provided. RESULTS: OA was found to contribute substantially to health care expenditures. Among women, OA increased out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures by $1,379 per annum (2007 dollars) and insurer expenditures by $4,833. Among men, OA increased OOP expenditures by $694 per annum and insurer expenditures by $4,036. Given the high prevalence of OA, the aggregate effects on health care expenditures were very large. OA raised aggregate annual medical care expenditures by $185.5 billion. Of that amount, insurer expenditures were $149.4 billion and OOP expenditures were $36.1 billion. Because of the greater prevalence of OA in women and their more intensive use of health care, total expenditures for this group accounted for $118 billion, or almost two-thirds of the total increase in health care expenditures resulting from OA. CONCLUSION: The health care cost burden associated with OA is quite large for all groups examined and is disproportionately higher for women. Although insurers bear the brunt of treatment costs for OA, the OOP costs are also substantial.