Abstract | BACKGROUND: Increased serum urate (sUA) levels (> or =6.0 mg/dL) are associated with increased likelihood of acute gout attacks, or "flares." OBJECTIVES: Identify gout flares with administrative claims data; examine the relationship between sUA and flares; examine the association between sUA and flare-related costs. METHODS: This retrospective administrative claims analysis examined subjects with gout (> or =2 medical claims with ICD-9-CM diagnosis code 274.xx or > or =1 claim with a gout diagnosis and > or =1 pharmacy claim for allopurinol, probenecid, colchicine, or sulfinpyrazone) between January 1, 2002 and March 31, 2004. Each subject was observed during 1-year baseline and 1-year follow-up periods. Gout flares were identified with an algorithm using claims for services associated with flares. Outcomes were sUA (mg/dL) and flare-related health care costs. Logistic regression examined the likelihood of flare; generalized linear modeling regression measured the impact of baseline sUA on flare costs, controlling for demographic and health status variables. RESULTS: The study sample comprised 18,243 subjects with mean age of 53.9 years. sUA was available for 4277 (23%) subjects. Sixty-two percent (11,253) of subjects had > or =1 flare. The number of mean, unadjusted flares increased with sUA. Logistic results showed subjects with baseline sUA > or =6.0 relative to sUA <6.0 had 1.3 times the odds of gout flare (P <0.05). Generalized linear modeling results showed that baseline sUA > or =6.0 was associated with 2.1 to 2.2 times higher flare costs than was baseline sUA <6.0 (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: sUA was a significant predictor both of gout flare and related costs. This highlights the importance of gout management strategies aimed at controlling sUA.
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Authors | Rachel Halpern, Mahesh J Fuldeore, Reema R Mody, Pankaj A Patel, Ted R Mikuls |
Journal | Journal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases
(J Clin Rheumatol)
Vol. 15
Issue 1
Pg. 3-7
(Feb 2009)
ISSN: 1536-7355 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 19125135
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Female
- Gout
(economics)
- Health Expenditures
- Humans
- Hyperuricemia
(economics)
- Insurance Claim Review
- Male
- Managed Care Programs
- Middle Aged
- Retrospective Studies
- United States
- Young Adult
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