Abstract | OBJECTIVES: STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective claims data were obtained for 2005 to 2007 from 6 health plans with pregabalin PA and 6 health plans without pregabalin PA. Differences in resource utilization and costs were compared between baseline and 1-year follow-up periods using a pre-post parallel-group design. METHODS: Adults diagnosed as having pDPN or PHN with at least 1 claim for pDPN- or PHN-specific pain medication were selected. Pharmacologic therapy, healthcare utilization, and expenditures were analyzed using bivariate statistics and generalized linear models via a difference-in-differences approach comparing cohorts year over year. RESULTS: The 2 cohorts included 2084 patients in PA plans and 1320 patients in non-PA plans. Compared with non-PA plans, plans requiring PA experienced a 5.0-percentage point lower increase in patients using pregabalin year over year (P <.001). Utilization in PA plans of other anticonvulsants was 3.7 percentage points higher (P = .03), while nonopioid analgesic use was 5.2 percentage points lower (P = .01). There were no significant differences in opioid, antidepressant, or other pDPN or PHN medication use or pDPNor PHN-related total healthcare costs. CONCLUSION: A PA policy for pregabalin was associated with lower pregabalin utilization, but there was no statistically significant effect on pDPN- or PHN-specific medication or healthcare expenditures.
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Authors | Jay M Margolis, Zhun Cao, Eberechukwu Onukwugha, Robert J Sanchez, Jose Alvir, Ashish V Joshi, C Daniel Mullins |
Journal | The American journal of managed care
(Am J Manag Care)
Vol. 16
Issue 6
Pg. 447-56
(Jun 2010)
ISSN: 1936-2692 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 20560688
(Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Analgesics
- Pregabalin
- gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
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Topics |
- Analgesics
(economics, therapeutic use)
- Diabetic Neuropathies
(drug therapy)
- Drug Costs
(statistics & numerical data)
- Drug Utilization
(statistics & numerical data)
- Follow-Up Studies
- Health Services Accessibility
(statistics & numerical data)
- Health Services Research
- Humans
- Insurance Claim Reporting
(statistics & numerical data)
- Insurance Coverage
(statistics & numerical data)
- Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services
(statistics & numerical data)
- Linear Models
- Logistic Models
- Middle Aged
- Multivariate Analysis
- Neuralgia, Postherpetic
(drug therapy)
- Pregabalin
- Retrospective Studies
- gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
(analogs & derivatives, economics, therapeutic use)
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