Treatments, complications, and healthcare utilization associated with acromegaly: a study in two large United States databases

The economic burden of acromegaly in the US has been largely unknown. We describe the prevalence of treatment patterns, complication rates, and associated healthcare utilization and costs of acromegaly in the US. Patients were identified between 1/1/2002 and 12/31/2009 in claims databases. During 1-year after each continuously-enrolled patient’s first acromegaly claim, pharmacy and medical claims were used to estimate outcomes. Regression models were used to adjust outcomes. There were 2,171 acromegaly patients (mean age: 45.3 years; 49.7 % female); 77.8 % received the majority of their care from non-endocrinologists. Pharmacologic treatment was used by 30.8 % of patients: octreotide-LAR in 18.6 %, dopamine agonists in 9.8 %, short-acting octreotide in 4.7 %, pegvisomant in 4.1 %, and lanreotide in 1.2 %; 56 % had biochemical monitoring. Comorbidities were common, ranging from 6.6 % (colon neoplasms) to 25.6 % (musculoskeletal abnormalities). Mean healthcare costs were $24,900. Adjusted analyses indicated comorbidities increased the odds of hospitalization: by 76 % for musculoskeletal abnormalities; 193 % for cardiovascular abnormalities; and 56 % for sleep apnea ( p < 0.05). Odds of emergency department visits increased by 87 % (musculoskeletal) and 132 % (cardiovascular abnormalities) ( p < 0.01). After adjustments, colon neoplasms were associated with $8,401 mean increase in costs; musculoskeletal abnormalities with $7,502, cardiovascular abnormalities with $13,331, sleep apnea with $10,453, and hypopituitarism with $6,742 ( p < 0.01). Complications are common and increase utilization and cost in acromegaly patients. Cardiovascular complications nearly tripled the odds of hospitalization (OR 2.93) and increased annual mean cost by $13,331. Adequate management of this disease may be able to reduce health care utilization and cost associated with these complications and with acromegaly in general.