Key result
Hyperkalemia was associated with higher 1-year total health care costs compared to matched controls.
Why the study?
Does hyperkalemia increase healthcare costs and resource utilization in adult patients?
Case-Control (n=79,252)
Does hyperkalemia increase healthcare costs and resource utilization in adult patients?
Hyperkalemia imposes a substantial economic burden on the healthcare system, driving significantly higher costs and resource utilization, especially in patients with CKD or heart failure.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Hyperkalemia was associated with higher costs; leaves open whether prevention reduces utilization in CKD or HF.
IntroductionThere are limited data on the cost of hyperkalemia.MethodsThis retrospective analysis of the Truven MarketScan claims database assessed the economic burden of hyperkalemia among selected adult patients with hyperkalemia and matched controls.ResultsA total of 39,626 cases (patients with hyperkalemia) were matched to 39,626 controls (patients without hyperkalemia) based on age, dialysis, chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage, heart failure, and renin-angiotensin aldosterone system inhibitor use. Compared with controls, cases incurred $4128 (95% confidence interval [CI] $3893–$4363) higher 30-day total health care costs ($5994 vs. $1865) and $15,983 (95% CI $15,026–$16,940) higher 1-year costs ($31,844 vs. $15,861). Among 11,221 matched pairs of patients with CKD and/or heart failure, cases incurred $5553 (95% CI $5059–$6047) higher 30-day total health care costs ($8165 vs. $2612) and $24,133 (95% CI $21,748–$26,518) higher 1-year costs ($48,994 vs. $24,861) than controls. The multivariable adjusted 1-year total health care cost difference was $15,606 (95% CI $14,648–$16,576) among all patients and $25,156 (95% CI $23,529–$26,757) among patients with CKD and/or heart failure. Cases had higher resource utilization rates including inpatient admissions (30-day: 0.14 vs. 0.03; 1-year: 0.44 vs. 0.19), outpatient visits (30-day: 3.33 vs. 2.28; 1-year: 26.58 vs. 18.53), and emergency department visits (30-day: 0.16 vs. 0.06; 1-year: 0.86 vs. 0.50) (all P < 0.001). When hospitalized, cases stayed 1.51 days (95% CI 1.22–1.80) longer and were 40% more likely to be readmitted.ConclusionThese data indicate that hyperkalemia is associated with a significant economic burden on afflicted patients and the health care system.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Betts et al. (2017) conducted a case-control in Hyperkalemia (n=79,252). Hyperkalemia vs. Patients without hyperkalemia was evaluated on 1-year total health care costs (MD $15,983, 95% CI 15,026-16,940). Hyperkalemia was associated with higher 1-year total health care costs compared to matched controls.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: