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Prescribing patterns and healthcare costs of gout |
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| Authors: | Yi-Yun Lee Li-Na Kuo Jin-Hua Chen Yi-Chun Lin Lung-Fang Chen |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan;2. Department of Pharmacy, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan;3. ![ORCID Icon]({"type":"image","src":"/templates/jsp/images/orcid.png"} "ORCID Icon") https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2906-4262;5. Biostatistics Center and Masters Program in Big Data Technology and Management, College of Management, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan;6. Department of Rheumatology, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan |
| Abstract: | Objective/methods: The Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID) 2010 was used to identify gout cases and their number of gout flares. Results: Out of 21,376 gout patients, a total of 3561 (16.7%) had frequent gout flares (≥3 gout flares/year). Average all-cause healthcare utilization (35.9 visits vs. 30.7 visits; p?<?.001) and gout-related utilization (22.7 visits vs. 15.6 visits; p?<?.001) were higher in frequent gout flare patients than in those with infrequent gout flares. The median gout-related cost (USD $369 vs. $285; p?<?.001), but not all-cause costs (p?=?.25), were higher in frequent gout flare patients compared to the infrequent group. Over 55.8% of the flares were treated with colchicine?+?NSAIDs. Conclusions: In conclusion, patients with frequent gout flares had higher healthcare utilization and gout-related healthcare costs. Colchicine?+?NSAIDs are commonly used therapy for gout flare. |
| Keywords: | Gout prescribing patterns costs Taiwan |