Gender Disparities in Medical Expenditures Attributable to Hypertension in the United States

Trends in Healthcare Expenditures Among US Adults With Hypertension: National Estimates, 2003-2014

Background

One in 3 US adults has high blood pressure, or hypertension. As prior projections suggest hypertension is the costliest of all cardiovascular diseases, it is important to define the current state of healthcare expenditures related to hypertension.

Methods and Results

We used a nationally representative database, the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, to calculate the estimated annual healthcare expenditure for patients with hypertension and to measure trends in expenditure longitudinally over a 12‐year period. A 2‐part model was used to estimate adjusted incremental expenditures for individuals with hypertension versus those without hypertension. Sex, race/ethnicity, education, insurance status, census region, income, marital status, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and year category were included as covariates. The 2003–2014 pooled data include a total sample of 224 920 adults, of whom 36.9% had hypertension. Unadjusted mean annual medical expenditure attributable to patients with hypertension was $9089. Relative to individuals without hypertension, individuals with hypertension had $1920 higher annual adjusted incremental expenditure, 2.5 times the inpatient cost, almost double the outpatient cost, and nearly triple the prescription medication expenditure. Based on the prevalence of hypertension in the United States, the estimated adjusted annual incremental cost is $131 billion per year higher for the hypertensive adult population compared with the nonhypertensive population.

Conclusions

Individuals with hypertension are estimated to face nearly $2000 higher annual healthcare expenditure compared with their nonhypertensive peers. This trend has been relatively stable over 12 years. Healthcare costs associated with hypertension account for about $131 billion. This warrants intense effort toward hypertension prevention and management.

Employer-sponsored health insurance and the gender wage gap

During prime working years, women have higher expected healthcare expenses than men. However, employees' insurance rates are not gender-rated in the employer-sponsored health insurance (ESI) market. Thus, women may experience lower wages in equilibrium from employers who offer health insurance to their employees. We show that female employees suffer a larger wage gap relative to men when they hold ESI: our results suggest this accounts for roughly 10% of the overall gender wage gap. For a full-time worker, this pay gap due to ESI is on the order of the expected difference in healthcare expenses between women and men.

Women-specific factors to consider in risk, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease

In the era of individualized medicine, gaps in knowledge remain about sex-specific risk factors, diagnostic and treatment options that might reduce mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and improve outcomes for both women and men. In this review, contributions of biological mechanisms involving the sex chromosomes and the sex hormones on the cardiovascular system will be discussed in relationship to the female-specific risk factors for CVD: hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, menopause and use of hormonal therapies for contraception and menopausal symptoms. Additionally, sex-specific factors to consider in the differential diagnosis and treatment of four prevalent CVDs (hypertension, stroke, coronary artery disease and congestive heart failure) will be reviewed with emphasis on areas where additional research is needed.

Influence of socio-demographic characteristics on eye care expenditure: data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2007

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between sociodemographic factors and eye care expenditure and to assess the burden of ocular expenditure compared to total health care expenditure.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of ocular expenditure in participants of the 2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Data from 20,620 unique participants aged ≥18 years were evaluated for eye care expenditure by demographic characteristics.

RESULTS

A total of 22% of the studied population had eye care expenditures in 2007. Demographic factors significantly associated with higher probability of having eye care expenditures included older age (65+ years 35%, 45-64 years 23%, <45 years 17%), female sex (female 26%, male 19%), higher educational attainment (greater than high school education 25%, less than high school education 17%), having insurance (private 24%, uninsured 13%), and visual impairment (mild 31%, none 22%). Older age, female sex, higher educational attainment, having insurance, and presence of visual impairment were also significantly associated with higher mean eye care expenditure. In those with eye care expenditure, the mean ratio between eye care and total medical expenditure was 24%, with uninsured patients spending 42% of their medical care expenditure on eye care.

CONCLUSIONS

Demographic factors are associated with both the probability of having ocular expenditure and the amount of expenditure. Of all factors examined, insurance status has the most potential for modification. Policy makers should consider these numbers when devising the terms by which eye care coverage will be provided under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Prevalence and incident prehypertension and hypertension in postmenopausal Hispanic women: results from the Women's Health Initiative

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of research on prehypertension and incident hypertension among postmenopausal Hispanic women. The overall objective is to determine the multiple risk factors associated with the prevalence of hypertension status at baseline and incident hypertension at year 3 in postmenopausal Hispanic women.

METHODS

For the analyses in this paper, we included a total of 4,680 Hispanic women who participated in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a randomized clinical trial and observational study, at baseline (1994-1998) and at third-year follow-up and for whom blood pressure was measured at year 3 (n = 3,848). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of hypertension status, defined as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg, to assess the odds of incident hypertension at year 3 of follow-up in association with the factors included in the baseline models.

RESULTS

At year 3 of follow-up, 27.3% of Hispanic women who were normotensive at baseline had progressed to prehypertension, and 9.0% had become hypertensive. Among the prehypertensive participants at baseline, 30.4% had progressed to hypertension. Compared with normotensive Hispanic women, hypertensive participants had a higher number of cardiovascular risk factors: body mass index ≥30 kg/m(2) (OR = 3.76; 95% CI = 3.01-4.71), a family history of diabetes, stroke, and/or myocardial infarction (OR = 1.12; 95% CI 1.03-1.23), treated hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.57; 95% CI = 1.23-1.99), treated diabetes (OR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.40-2.97), and a history of cardiovascular disease (OR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.58-2.64).

CONCLUSIONS

Hispanic women seem to experience an increased risk of incident hypertension in later adulthood. On a practical level, recommendations for preventive care and population-wide adoption of health behaviors, such as community-focused campaigns to engage in physical activity, may contribute to reductions in hypertension risk factors.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

Trial Number NCT00000611.

Hypertension-associated expenditures for medication among US adults

BACKGROUND

We sought to estimate how much the presence of hypertension adds to annual per capita and total expenditures for medication among US adults.

METHODS

The sample included 21,782 civilian noninstitutionalized adults aged ≥ 18 years who participated in the 2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Hypertension was defined as having a diagnosis of high blood pressure (except during pregnancy) or taking a blood pressure medication. We used a 2-part model to examine all-cause medication expenditure associated with hypertension.

RESULTS

The prevalence of hypertension was 32.2%. Overall, 66.7% of adults purchased prescribed medications, with this proportion higher among hypertensive (93.0%) than normotensive (54.4%) adults (P < 0.001). Hypertensive adults were more likely to have medication expenditures than were normotensive adults (odds ratio (OR) = 6.42; P < 0.001). Among hypertensive adults, those aged ≥ 45 years were more likely to incur medication expenditure than those aged 18-44 years (OR = 3.00, P < 0.001 for those aged 45-64 years; OR = 5.95, P < 0.001 for those aged ≥ 65 years), whereas women were 2.91 times as likely as men to have medication spending (P < 0.001). Hispanics were less likely than non-Hispanic whites to have such spending (OR = 0.51; P < 0.001). Among those purchasing medications, the average cost was $1,510 higher among hypertensive persons ($2,337) than normotensive persons ($827). Hypertension-associated expenditures for medication were estimated at $68 billion in the US civilian non-institutionalized population in 2007.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of hypertension among US adults is associated with an increase of all-cause expenditures for medication, with this increase varying across groups by age and sex.

Considerations in women with hypertension

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in women in the United States, and hypertension is a major contributor to cardiovascular mortality. The incidence of hypertension in women is steadily increasing, paralleling the epidemics of obesity and diabetes. Blood pressure control rates among women are suboptimal, even when secondary causes are identified and treated. There are few high-quality data describing specific hypertension-related outcomes in women. Some data comparing hypertensive women to age-matched men suggest advantages to sex-specific strategies, but further study is needed to determine optimal regimens for women throughout their lives. Pregnancy and menopause present unique, complex challenges in hypertension management.

Perceptions of generic drug discount programs among low-income women: a qualitative study

PURPOSE

Increasing the awareness and use of generic drug discount programs (GDDP) may improve access to essential prescription drugs. However, little is known about public perceptions of GDDPs. The purpose of this study is to understand the perceptions and utilization patterns of low-income women regarding GDDP.

METHODS

Using a purposive sampling strategy, we conducted seven focus groups with a total of 50 participants using a semistructured guide to assess awareness and utilization of GDDP. Transcripts of the focus groups were systematically analyzed across groups with a general inductive approach for qualitative data analysis.

RESULTS

Five major categorical themes emerged from the focus group content analysis: 1) Perceived differences between generic and brand-name prescription drugs, 2) barriers to utilizing GDDP, 3) lack of adequate communication between pharmacy, physician and patient about GDDP, 4) perceived health impact of utilizing GDDPs, and 5) perceived health care savings. Most participants indicated that they perceive no difference between generic and brand-name prescription drugs. Lack of awareness was indicated as a barrier to utilization. There was general agreement among participants that GDDP can help to maintain health while saving money.

CONCLUSION

Study participants demonstrated generally favorable perceptions regarding GDDPs. Our findings underscore the need for policies that encourage expansion of the GDDP formulary and increasing awareness and utilization of GDDP.

Dry eye medication use and expenditures: data from the medical expenditure panel survey 2001 to 2006

PURPOSE

To study dry eye medication use and expenditures from 2001 to 2006 using a nationally representative sample of US adults.

METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed dry eye medication use and expenditures of participants of the 2001 to 2006 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a nationally representative subsample of the National Health Interview Survey. After adjusting for survey design and for inflation using the 2009 inflation index, data from 147 unique participants aged 18 years or older using the prescription medications Restasis and Blephamide were analyzed. The main outcome measures were dry eye medication use and expenditures from 2001 to 2006.

RESULTS

Dry eye medication use and expenditures increased between the years 2001 and 2006, with the mean expenditure per patient per year being $55 in 2001 to 2002 (n=29), $137 in 2003 to 2004 (n=32), and $299 in 2005 to 2006 (n=86). This finding was strongly driven by the introduction of topical cyclosporine emulsion 0.05% (Restasis; Allergan, Irvine, CA). In analysis pooled over all survey years, demographic factors associated with dry eye medication expenditures included gender (female: $244 vs. male: $122, P<0.0001), ethnicity (non-Hispanic: $228 vs. Hispanic: $106, P<0.0001), and education (greater than high school: $250 vs. less than high school: $100, P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

We found a pattern of increasing dry eye medication use and expenditures from 2001 to 2006. Predictors of higher dry eye medication expenditures included female gender, non-Hispanic ethnicity, and greater than a high school education.

Increased medical costs in elders with the metabolic syndrome are most evident with hospitalization of men

BACKGROUND

Little is known about health care costs associated with the metabolic syndrome (MetS).

OBJECTIVE

We assessed annualized health care costs and health outcomes for both genders in different health care settings among representative Taiwanese elders.

METHODS

The Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (1999-2000) provided 1378 individuals aged 65 years or older with known MetS status. Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan files were linked to National Health Insurance records (1999-2006). Student t tests and multiple regression models were used to assess expenditures in total and in 6 services: inpatient, ambulatory care, dental care, traditional Chinese medicine, emergency care, and contracted pharmacy. The Cox model was used to assess gender effect on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality, whereas logistic regression was used for that on cardiovascular disease hospitalization. The 5 MetS component costs were evaluated by multiple regressions.

RESULTS

MetS affected 29% of men and 48% of women. After full adjustment, those with MetS had 1.30 (95% CI, 1.11-1.52), men had 1.43 (95% CI, 1.20-1.70), and women had 1.19 (95% CI, 0.93-1.52) times higher costs than those without MetS. Compared with no MetS, MetS costs were increased 2.94-fold for inpatient care (95% CI, 1.23-7.10) and 1.30-fold for ambulatory care for men (95% CI, 1.12-1.52), whereas ambulatory MetS costs were increased 1.28-fold for women (95% CI, 1.05-1.57). MetS was associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease hospitalization in men (adjusted odds ratio, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.20-2.58) but not in women (adjusted odds ratio, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.67-1.75). Among those with MetS, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were comparable between men and women. Of the MetS components, low HDL cholesterol had the greatest affect on costs, more so in men (2.23-fold) than women (1.58-fold).

CONCLUSIONS

In people with MetS, service costs were greater overall, significantly for men, but not women, and these increased costs were evident for men who experienced hospitalization, but not women. At the same time, cardiovascular and all-cause mortalities were not significantly different by gender in regard to MetS in Taiwanese elders.

Gender disparities in the pharmacological treatment of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus in the very old: an epidemiological, cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND

There are many reports of disparities in health and medical care both between women and men and between various age groups. In most cases, men receive better treatment than women and young and middle-aged people are privileged compared with the old and the very old. Cardiovascular morbidity and diabetes mellitus are common, increase with age and are often treated extensively with drugs, many of which are known to have significant adverse effects.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to analyse gender differences in the pharmacological treatment of cardiovascular disease and diabetes among very old people.

METHODS

The study took the form of an epidemiological, cross-sectional survey. A structured interview was administered during one or more home visits, and data were further retrieved from medical charts and interviews with relatives, healthcare staff and other carers. Home-dwelling people as well as people living in institutional care in six municipalities in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden, in 2005-7 were included in the study. Half of all people aged 85 years, all of those aged 90 years and all of those aged ≥95 years living in the selected municipalities were selected for inclusion in the study. In total, 467 people were included in the present analysis. The main study outcome measures were medical diagnoses and drug use.

RESULTS

In total, women were prescribed a larger number of drugs than men (mean 7.2 vs 5.4, p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression models adjusted for age and other background variables as well as relevant medical diagnoses (hypertension, heart failure) showed strong associations between female sex and prescriptions of thiazide diuretics (odds ratio [OR] 4.4; 95% CI 1.8, 10.8; p = 0.001), potassium-sparing diuretics (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.4, 8.7; p = 0.006) and diuretics as a whole (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.1, 2.9; p = 0.021). A similar model, adjusted for angina pectoris, showed that female sex was associated with prescription of short-acting nitroglycerin (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.6, 8.9; p = 0.003). However, more men had been offered coronary artery surgery (p = 0.001). Of the participants diagnosed with diabetes, 55% of the women and 85% of the men used oral antihyperglycaemic drugs (p = 0.020), whereas no gender difference was seen in prescriptions of insulin.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant gender disparities in the prescription of several drugs, such as diuretics, nitroglycerin and oral antihyperglycaemic drugs, were observed in this study of very old people. In most cases, women were prescribed more drugs than men. Men more often had undergone coronary artery surgery. These disparities could only in part be explained by differences in diagnoses and symptoms.

Lifetime medical expenditures among hypertensive men and women in the United States

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to estimate lifetime medical expenditures that can be attributed to hypertension, by gender, in the United States, given important gender differences in both survival and medical expenditures.

METHODS

We estimated lifetime medical expenditures among hypertensive and nonhypertensive men and women aged 20 and older. Expenditures were estimated from the 2001 to 2004 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey and life expectancies were estimated from the 1986 to 2002 National Health Interview Survey Linked Mortality Files. Assuming that medical technology, the cost of health care services, the incidence of disease, and survival were fixed, the cross-sectional age-specific expenditures and the survival profiles were used to estimate the lifetime expenditures from ages 20 to older than 85.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

The estimated lifetime expenditure for an average life table individual at age 20 was $188,300 for hypertensive men and $254,910 for hypertensive women; however, a greater share of lifetime expenditures can be attributed to hypertension among men ($88,033) than among women ($40,960).

CONCLUSION

Although hypertensive women had greater lifetime expenditures than hypertensive men, hypertension was associated with a greater increase in lifetime expenditures for men than for women. Gender differences in both survival and health care utilization have important implications for gender differences in lifetime medical expenditures.