Drivers of US health care spending for persons with seizures and/or epilepsies, 2010–2018. Issue 8 (29th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moura, Lidia M. V. R.; Karakis, Ioannis; Zack, Matthew M.; Tian, Niu; Kobau, Rosemarie; Howard, David
• Is Part Of: Epilepsia. Volume 63:Issue 8(2022)
• Page Start: 2144
• Page End: 2154
• Publication Date: 2022-05-29
• Subjects: burden -- cost -- drugs -- epilepsy -- MEPS; Epilepsy -- Periodicals; 616.853
• DOI: 10.1111/epi.17305
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-9580

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: This study was undertaken to characterize spending for persons classified with seizure or epilepsy and to determine whether spending has increased over time. Methods: In this cross‐sectional study, we pooled data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) household component files for 2010–2018. We matched cases to controls on age and sex of a population‐based sample of MEPS respondents (community‐dwelling persons of all ages) with records associated with a medical event (e.g., outpatient visit, hospital inpatient) for seizure, epilepsy, or both. Outcomes were weighted to be representative of the civilian, noninstitutionalized population. We estimated the treated prevalence of epilepsy and seizure, health care spending overall and by site of care, and trends in spending growth. Results: We identified 1078 epilepsy cases and 2344 seizure cases. Treated prevalence was .38% (95% confidence interval [CI] = .34–.41) for epilepsy, .76% (95% CI = .71–.81) for seizure, and 1.14% (95% CI = 1.08–1.20) for epilepsy or seizure. The difference in annual spending for cases compared to controls was $4580 (95% CI = $3362–$5798) for epilepsy, $7935 (95% CI, $6237–$9634) for seizure, and $6853 (95% CI = $5623–$8084) for epilepsy or seizure, translating into aggregate costs of $5.4 billion, $19.0 billion, and $24.5 billion. From 2010 to 2018, the annual growth rate in total spending incurred for seizures and/or epilepsies was 7.6% compared to 3.6% among controls. Significance: US economic burden of seizures and/or epilepsies is substantial and warrants interventions focused on their unique and overlapping causes.