In an extensive retrospective cohort study, researchers examined the relationship between pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) and healthcare resource utilization among patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis (CP) within a substantial Midwestern US healthcare system. The study scrutinized medical records over a 13-year span, providing crucial insights into patient demographics, treatment patterns, and associated costs.
Study Methodology and Patient Demographics
The study analyzed data from 2,445 patients aged 18 and above, diagnosed with non-cystic fibrosis CP between January 2005 and December 2018, each with a minimum of six months of follow-up. Patients were divided into two groups: those prescribed PERT at least once and those who were not. The PERT group, comprising 22,935 encounters, included younger, predominantly male, White, married or partnered individuals with private insurance. Conversely, the non-PERT group, with 39,964 encounters, had a more varied demographic profile.
Resource Utilization and Treatment Patterns
The study revealed that patients receiving PERT had longer durations of care and a higher frequency of overall encounters. However, they experienced fewer outpatient visits and day surgeries or 24-hour observations compared to the non-PERT group. Interestingly, the number of emergency room visits was comparable between the two groups. Despite these differences in encounter types, the average cost per encounter was nearly identical, with PERT and non-PERT groups averaging $225 and $213, respectively.
From a market access perspective, these findings highlight the critical need for healthcare systems to consider the broader implications of PERT on resource allocation and patient management strategies. The similarity in average costs suggests that while PERT might alter the type and frequency of healthcare encounters, it does not necessarily increase overall financial burden per encounter.
The study underscores the importance of further inferential research to better understand the long-term outcomes and resource utilization associated with PERT. Such insights could inform policy decisions and optimize the allocation of healthcare resources, ensuring effective and efficient patient care for those with CP.
Key Inferences
– PERT users had more inpatient encounters, indicating a potential shift in the type of care required.
– The demographic differences suggest that socioeconomic factors may influence the likelihood of receiving PERT.
– The similarity in emergency room visits between groups implies that PERT does not significantly impact acute care needs.
– Identifying cost-effective and efficient treatment strategies is crucial for healthcare systems managing CP patients.
The study concludes that there is a significant variation in the types of healthcare encounters between PERT and non-PERT users, despite similar average costs per encounter. This underscores the necessity for more detailed research on the implications of PERT use, particularly with regard to resource utilization and long-term patient outcomes.
Original Article:
J Int Med Res. 2024 Jul;52(7):3000605241261332. doi: 10.1177/03000605241261332.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) and resource utilization among patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) in a large Midwestern US healthcare system.
METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used electronic medical record data. Eligible patients (N = 2445) were aged ≥18 years and diagnosed with non-cystic fibrosis CP between January 2005 and December 2018, with ≥6 months’ follow-up; study initiation was first encounter with the healthcare system. Patients in the PERT group were prescribed PERT at ≥1 encounter; patients in the non-PERT group were not prescribed PERT at any encounter.
RESULTS: In total, 62,899 encounters were reviewed (PERT, n = 22,935; non-PERT, n = 39,964). More patients in the PERT group were younger, male, White, married/partnered and with private insurance than those in the non-PERT group. They also received longer care and had more overall encounters, fewer outpatient and day surgery/24-hour observation encounters, and more inpatient encounters. Emergency room encounters were similar between groups. Average cost by encounter was similar between groups ($225 and $213, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar average costs per encounter, the groups had very different encounter types. More inferential research on PERT use among patients with CP is needed, particularly regarding resource utilization and long-term outcomes.
PMID:39068533 | DOI:10.1177/03000605241261332

This article has been prepared with the assistance of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author.