1
|
de Oliveira C, Tanner B, Colton P, Kurdyak P. Understanding the scope of preventable acute care spending among patients with eating disorders. Int J Eat Disord 2023. [PMID: 36757092 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The economic burden of eating disorders is substantial. One potential way to reduce costs, without sacrificing care, may be to target preventable (i.e., potentially unnecessary) acute care. This study sought to determine the amount and proportion of preventable and non-preventable acute care spending among individuals with eating disorders. METHOD We undertook a population-based, cross-sectional study of all individuals over the age of 17 with eating disorders (diagnosed through hospitalization) in Ontario, Canada, to determine potentially preventable and non-preventable acute care spending. Preventable acute care (i.e., preventable emergency department visits and hospitalizations) was defined using previously validated algorithms. We undertook analyses for the full sample, by sex and by eating disorder diagnosis (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, eating disorder not otherwise specified, multiple). RESULTS Among 7547 individuals with eating disorders, 15% of all acute care spending (i.e., $1.33 million) was considered preventable; this figure was higher for females (14%) and those with bulimia nervosa (21%). Among emergency department visits, 25% of visits were considered preventable; the largest proportions were for non-emergent (11%) and primary care treatable (10%) conditions. Among hospitalizations, 9% were considered preventable; the highest proportions of preventable care spending were for short-term diabetes complications (1.8%) and urinary tract infections (1.8%). DISCUSSION Although the economic burden of eating disorders is substantial, there is some scope to decrease acute care spending among this patient population. Care coordination and improved access to primary care and disease prevention, particularly related to diabetes, may help prevent the occurrence of some acute care episodes. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE Many jurisdictions have implemented strategies to reduce costs and improve the quality of care among patients with high health care needs, such as those with eating disorders; however, it is unclear whether any costs can be reduced and, if so, which costs. Cost-savings resulting from the reduction of unnecessary care could provide further economic justification for increased investment in outpatient care for individuals with eating disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claire de Oliveira
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bryan Tanner
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patricia Colton
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul Kurdyak
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Couturier J, Gayowsky A, Findlay S, Webb C, Sami S, Chan AKC, Chanchlani R, Kurdyak P. A retrospective cohort study examining health care utilization patterns in individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder in childhood and/or adolescence. Int J Eat Disord 2022; 55:1316-1330. [PMID: 35920409 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined a 2-year period following an eating disorder (ED) diagnosis in order to determine patterns of health care utilization. METHOD We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children (n = 1560) diagnosed with an ED between 2000 and 2017. The ED diagnosis was made at a tertiary level hospital for children and adolescents presenting for outpatient assessment by specialist adolescent medicine physicians and recorded in a program database over this period of time. We then created three sex- and age-matched comparison cohorts using provincial health administrative databases including: a general population cohort, a diabetes cohort (to compare nonmental health care utilization) and a mood disorder cohort (to compare mental health care utilization). Outcomes included hospitalizations, emergency department visits, as well as general practitioner, psychiatrist, and pediatrician visits. Odds ratios (dichotomous outcomes) and rate ratios (continuous outcomes) were calculated. RESULTS Compared to the general population cohort, the ED cohort had higher odds and rates of all types of health care utilization. Compared to the diabetes cohort, the ED cohort had higher odds of nonmental health-related admissions (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.09-1.95) and higher rates of nonmental health-related emergency department visits (RR 1.59, 95% CI 1.18-2.13). Compared to the mood disorder cohort, the ED cohort had higher rates of pediatrician visits, which were mental health-related (RR 14.88, 95% CI 10.64-20.82), however most other types of mental health service utilization were lower. DISCUSSION These patterns indicate that the service needs of young people diagnosed with EDs are higher than those with diabetes with respect to nonmental health admissions and emergency department visits, while in terms of mental health service utilization, there appears to be a lack of use of mental health services compared to youth with mood disorders with the exception of pediatrician mental health visits. These findings must be interpreted in the context of under-detection and under-treatment of EDs. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Our study found that the health service needs of young people with EDs are higher than those with diabetes with respect to admissions and emergency department visits, while there appears to be a lack of use of mental health services compared to youth with mood disorders with the exception of pediatrician mental health visits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Couturier
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Sheri Findlay
- Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cheryl Webb
- McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sadaf Sami
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anthony K C Chan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rahul Chanchlani
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Paul Kurdyak
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Anderson M, Revie CW, Quail JM, Wodchis W, de Oliveira C, Osman M, Baetz M, McClure J, Stryhn H, Buckeridge D, Neudorf C. The effect of socio-demographic factors on mental health and addiction high-cost use: a retrospective, population-based study in Saskatchewan. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH = REVUE CANADIENNE DE SANTE PUBLIQUE 2018; 109:810-820. [PMID: 29981109 PMCID: PMC6267642 DOI: 10.17269/s41997-018-0101-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE A small proportion of the population accounts for the majority of healthcare costs. Mental health and addiction (MHA) patients are consistently high-cost. We aimed to delineate factors amenable to public health action that may reduce high-cost use among a cohort of MHA clients in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. METHODS We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study. Administrative health data from fiscal years (FY) 2009-2015, linked at the individual level, were analyzed (n = 129,932). The outcome of interest was ≥ 90th percentile of costs for each year under study ('persistent high-cost use'). Descriptive analyses were followed by logistic regression modelling; the latter excluded long-term care residents. RESULTS The average healthcare cost among study cohort members in FY 2009 was ~ $2300; for high-cost users it was ~ $19,000. Individuals with unstable housing and hospitalization(s) had increased risk of persistent high-cost use; both of these effects were more pronounced as comorbidities increased. Patients with schizophrenia, particularly those under 50 years old, had increased probability of persistent high-cost use. The probability of persistent high-cost use decreased with good connection to a primary care provider; this effect was more pronounced as the number of mental health conditions increased. CONCLUSION Despite constituting only 5% of the study cohort, persistent high-cost MHA clients (n = 6455) accounted for ~ 35% of total costs. Efforts to reduce high-cost use should focus on reduction of multimorbidity, connection to a primary care provider (particularly for those with more than one MHA), young patients with schizophrenia, and adequately addressing housing stability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maureen Anderson
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3, Canada.
- Saskatchewan Health Quality Council, Atrium Building, Innovation Place, 241 - 111 Research Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3R2, Canada.
| | - Crawford W Revie
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Jacqueline M Quail
- Saskatchewan Health Quality Council, Atrium Building, Innovation Place, 241 - 111 Research Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3R2, Canada
- College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - Walter Wodchis
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Health Sciences Building 155 College Street, Suite 425, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M6, Canada
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, 2075 Bayview Ave., Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Claire de Oliveira
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Health Sciences Building 155 College Street, Suite 425, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M6, Canada
- Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, 2075 Bayview Ave., Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J 1H4, Canada
| | - Meriç Osman
- Saskatchewan Health Quality Council, Atrium Building, Innovation Place, 241 - 111 Research Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3R2, Canada
| | - Marilyn Baetz
- College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
- Saskatoon Health Region, #101-310 Idylwyld Drive North, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 0Z2, Canada
| | - J McClure
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - Henrik Stryhn
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3, Canada
| | - David Buckeridge
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Purvis Hall 1020 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC, H3A 1A2, Canada
| | - Cordell Neudorf
- College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5E5, Canada
- Saskatoon Health Region, #101-310 Idylwyld Drive North, Saskatoon, SK, S7L 0Z2, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
de Oliveira C, Colton P, Cheng J, Olmsted M, Kurdyak P. The direct health care costs of eating disorders among hospitalized patients: A population-based study. Int J Eat Disord 2017; 50:1385-1393. [PMID: 29105807 DOI: 10.1002/eat.22797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the direct health care costs of eating disorders in Ontario, Canada, in 2012, using a prevalence-based cost-of-illness approach. METHOD We selected a population-based sample of all patients eligible for public health care insurance over the age of 4 with a hospitalization for an eating disorder at any point since 1988. We estimated total and mean direct net costs per patient in 2012, from the third public payer perspective, by sex, age group, and health service type. RESULTS In 2012, there were 6,326 patients ever hospitalized for an eating disorder. They had a mean age of 31 at hospitalization, were mostly female (93%), and generally from high-income, urban neighborhoods. Direct total costs were just under $63 million CAD; direct net costs were roughly $48 million CAD. Mean net costs per patient were higher for females than males ($7,743.40 and $6,340.50, respectively), and higher for patients under 20 and patients 65+ ($17,961.50 and $14,953.90, respectively). The main cost drivers were psychiatric hospitalizations and physician visits, although this varied by age group. For younger patients, net costs were mainly because of psychiatric hospitalizations, while for older patients net costs were mainly because of psychiatric and nonpsychiatric hospitalizations, and other care. DISCUSSION The cost of eating disorders is substantial and varies by sex and age group. Our findings suggest that, from a health care utilization/cost perspective, the effect of eating disorders is likely to persist over the lifespan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claire de Oliveira
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S1.,Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3M6.,Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5
| | - Patricia Colton
- Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8
| | - Joyce Cheng
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S1.,Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5
| | - Marion Olmsted
- Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8
| | - Paul Kurdyak
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2S1.,Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3M6.,Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5.,Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2C4
| |
Collapse
|