Treatment modalities, health care resource utilization, and costs in patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine treatment modalities, health care resource utilization, and costs in patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis (IC).


METHODS
Patients with a diagnosis of IC were identified from a national managed care administration claims database and classified into treatment cohorts. All-cause health care resource utilization and costs were calculated by treatment cohort.


RESULTS
Patients treated with narcotics plus nonnarcotic analgesics were associated with higher mean health care costs. Patient cohorts treated with some of the more common oral therapies for interstitial cystitis, including pentosan polysulfate sodium, amitriptyline, and hydroxyzine, were associated with lower costs. Physician visits were fewest among patients treated with pentosan polysulfate sodium plus amitriptyline and hydroxyzine. Physician visits were higher for cohorts that included dimethyl sulfoxide plus cystoscopy or bladder irrigation, or narcotics plus nonnarcotic analgesics.


CONCLUSIONS
Interstitial cystitis is associated with substantial costs and health care resource utilization.
Stanford
Edward J
EJ
Center for Advanced Pelvic Surgery, Belleville, IL 62801, USA. EJS222@aol.com
Chen
Andrew
A
Wan
George J
GJ
Lunacsek
Orsolya E
OE
Sand
Peter K
PK
D000328:Adult; D000639:Amitriptyline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000628:therapy*; D003558:Cystoscopy / Q000191:economics; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006919:Hydroxyzine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009294:Narcotics / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010426:Pentosan Sulfuric Polyester / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000191:economics
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D009294:Narcotics; D000639:Amitriptyline; D006919:Hydroxyzine; D010426:Pentosan Sulfuric Polyester