title: Healthcare resource utilization and economic impact of a ≥2 g/dL decrease in hemoglobin in osteoarthritis patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) users, chronic occult blood loss may lead to decreases in hemoglobin, which may lead to increased healthcare expenditures. This study, therefore, sought to quantify healthcare resource utilization of ≥2 g/dL hemoglobin decrease in osteoarthritis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a large US managed care database, osteoarthritis patients aged ≥18 years who had exposure to ≥90 days of non-selective or selective COX-2 NSAID use, a hemoglobin value within 6 months before index NSAID, and at least one hemoglobin value 24 months after were evaluated. Resource utilization was evaluated in those with ≥2 g/dL hemoglobin drop vs patients with ≤0.5 g/dL hemoglobin drop (control).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1800 NSAID users meeting inclusion criteria, 228 patients [mean (SD) = 59.8 (9.3) years] had ≥2 g/dL hemoglobin drop vs 1572 controls [mean (SD) = 58.3 (8.0) years]. Despite relatively low absolute rates, endoscopic procedures were more commonly observed in the ≥2 g/dL hemoglobin drop group [endoscopy: 37/228 (16.2%) vs 65/1572 (4.1%); adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 3.5, (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.1-6.0); colonoscopy: 36/228 (15.8%) vs 137/1572 (8.7%); AOR 2.0 (95% CI 1.2-3.2)]. During the 12-month follow-up, patients with ≥2 g/dL hemoglobin drop utilized significantly more healthcare resources [adjusted relative risk (95% CI) for hospitalization, 2.1 (1.5-2.9); outpatient visits, 1.4 (1.3-1.5); physician visits, 1.3 (1.1-1.4)] and charges (total adjusted charges $47,766 vs $23,342) across major categories of healthcare services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This was a retrospective analysis with baseline demographic differences. The source or cause of the hemoglobin drops could not be verified; and it is assumed that they are related to occult gastrointestinal loss. Differences with healthcare utilization and charges were not linked to hemoglobin-associated complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients exposed to NSAIDs, those with significant hemoglobin drops experienced higher subsequent healthcare utilization and charges than controls who did not have a significant hemoglobin drop.
authors: Division of Gastroenterology, Northshore University Health System , Evanston, IL 60201, USA. jgoldstein@northshore.org
authors: Jay L
authors: JL
authors: Goldstein
authors: Xuemei
authors: X
authors: Luo
authors: Joseph C
authors: JC
authors: Cappelleri
authors: George H
authors: GH
authors: Sands
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D006454:Hemoglobins