Faculty Information |
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Article types | Original article |
Language | English |
Refereed paper | Refereed |
Title | Medical cost, incidence rate and treatment status of gastroesophageal reflux disease in Japan: analysis of claims data. |
Journal | Formal name:Journal of medical economics Abbreviation:J Med Econ ISSN code:1941-837X(Electronic)1369-6998(Linking) |
Domestic / Foregin | Foregin |
Volume, Number, Page | 19(11),pp.1049-1055 |
Papers・Author | Miwa Hiroto, Takeshima Tomomi, Iwasaki Kosuke, Hiroi Shinzo |
Publication date | 2016/05 |
Papers・Description | UNASSIGNED:Objectives Published reports have shown the prevalence and incidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is increasing in Japan. The objective of this study is to examine change in GERD incidence, and to understand current patient demographics, medical costs, treatment status, and the suitability of current treatment based on analysis of an insurance claims database. Methods An insurance claims database with data on approximately 1.9 million company employees from January 2005 to May 2015 was used. Prevalence, demographics, and medical costs were analyzed by cross-sectional analysis, and incidence and treatment statusUNASSIGNED:were analyzed by longitudinal analysis among newly diagnosed GERD patients. Results GERD prevalence in 2014 was 3.3% among 20-59 year-olds, accounting for 40,134 people in the database, and GERD incidence increased from 0.63% in 2009 to 0.98% in 2014. In 2014, mean medical cost per patient per month for GERD patients aged 20-59 was JPY 31,900 (USD 266 as of January 2016), which was approximately 2.4 times the mean national health care cost. The most frequently prescribed drugs for newly diagnosed GERD patients were proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Although PPIs were prescribed more often in patients with more doctor visit months, over 20% of patients that made frequent doctor visits (19 or more visits during a 24 calendar months period) were prescribed PPIs during only 1 calendar month or not at all. Limitations The database included only reimbursable claims data and therefore did not cover over-the-counter drugs. The database also consisted of employee-based claims data, so included little data on people aged 60 years and older. Conclusions Given the increasing incidence of GERD in Japan there is a need for up-to-date information on GERD incidence. This study suggests that some GERD patients may not be receiving appropriate treatment according to Japanese guidelines, which is needed to improve symptom control. |
DOI | 10.1080/13696998.2016.1192551 |
PMID | 27207316 |