P.113 A Population-based Study of the Epidemiology, Healthcare Resource Utilization and Costs of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Alberta, Canada. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, G; Sharif, B; Farris, MS; Cowling, T; Cabalteja, C; Wu, JJ; Maturi, B; Klein-Panneton, K; Mah, JK
• Is Part Of: Canadian journal of neurological sciences. Volume 48(2021)Supplement S3
• Page Start: S51
• Page End: S51
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2021.389
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0317-1671

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe progressive neuromuscular disease. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence, healthcare resource utilization (HRU), and medical costs of DMD in Alberta. Methods: This retrospective study linked provincial healthcare administrative data to identify patients with DMD utilizing a modified diagnostic code algorithm, including males <30 years of age. Five-year (April 2012 to March 2017) prevalence estimates were calculated and all-cause direct HRU and costs were examined in the first-year post-diagnosis. Results: Overall, 111 patients (median age: 12.0 years (IQR 4.7-18.3)) with DMD were identified. The estimated five-year period prevalence was 35.72 (95% CI 31.88-39.91) per 100, 000 persons. All-cause HRU in the first-year post-diagnosis included a mean (SD) of 0.48 (1.19) hospitalizations (length of stay: 9.37 days (36.47)), 3.96 (6.16) general practitioner visits, 28.52 (62.98) specialist visits, and 20.14 (16.49) ambulatory care visits. Mean (SD) all-cause direct costs were $18, 868 ($29, 206) CAD in the first-year post-diagnosis. Conclusions: Patients with DMD had multiple interactions with the healthcare system in the year following diagnosis, resulting in substantial direct medical costs. More effective treatment strategies are needed to improve health outcomes and reduce the burden of DMD.