Economic burden of generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) in the United States and the impact of common comorbidities and acute MG-events

Introduction: This study assessed incremental healthcare costs and resource utilization (HRU) associated with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) as well as variability in these outcomes among patients with gMG and common comorbidities and acute MG-related events. Methods: Adults with gMG and without MG were identified from a large US database (2017–2021). The index date was the first MG diagnosis (gMG cohort) or random date (non-MG cohort). Cohorts were propensity score matched 1: 1. The gMG cohort included subgroups of patients with a 12-month pre-index (baseline) cardiometabolic or psychiatric comorbidity, or a post-index MG exacerbation/crisis. Monthly healthcare costs (2021 USD) and HRU were compared post-index between gMG and non-MG cohorts. Results: The gMG and matched non-MG cohorts each contained 2, 739 patients. Mean incremental healthcare costs associated with MG were 4, 155 (gMG: 5, 567; non-MG: 1, 411), with differences driven by incremental inpatient cost of 2, 166 (gMG: 2, 617; non-MG: 452) ; all p < 0. 001. The gMG versus non-MG cohort had 4. 36 times more inpatient admissions and 2. 26 times more outpatient visits; all p < 0. 001.