Economic analysis of inadequate symptom control in carcinoid syndrome in the United States. (10th August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Burton, Tanya; Lapuerta, Pablo
• Is Part Of: Future oncology. Volume 14:Number 23(2018)
• Page Start: 2361
• Page End: 2370
• Publication Date: 2018-08-10
• Subjects: carcinoid syndrome -- healthcare costs -- neuroendocrine tumors -- octreotide -- somatostatin analogs; Oncology -- Periodicals; 616.99405
• DOI: 10.2217/fon-2018-0129
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-6694

Abstract

Aim: We investigated the healthcare resource utilization and costs of patients with dose escalations beyond recommended levels of long-acting octreotide for persistent carcinoid syndrome (CS) symptoms.Materials & methods: A retrospective study of US health insurance claims included 358 adults with ≥1 medical claim for CS and ≥6 claims for long-acting octreotide (10–30 mg) between 1 July 2006 and 31 December 2013.Results: Pre-escalation per-patient per-month outcomes and costs were lower versus post-escalation, including vascular conditions (0.11 vs 0.21), metastasis/secondary neoplasms (0.45 vs 0.74), total all-cause costs (US$4116 vs US$8305; p < 0.001) and CS-related costs (US$3156 vs US$7101; p < 0.001).Conclusion: Higher mean pre-escalation per-patient per-month resource use and costs post-escalation primarily attributable to CS-related ambulatory care suggests continuing challenges in managing CS despite octreotide dose escalation.