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Article
10-Year Resource Utilization and Costs for Cardiovascular Care
Department of Biostatistics Faculty Publications
  • Leslee J. Shaw, Emory University School of Medicine
  • Abhinav Goyal, Emory University School of Medicine
  • Christina Mehta, Rollins School of Public Health
  • Joe Xie, Emory University School of Medicine
  • Lawrence Phillips, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
  • Anita Kelkar, Emory University School of Medicine
  • Joseph Knapper, Emory University School of Medicine
  • Daniel S. Berman, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
  • Khurram Nasir, Baptist Health South Florida
  • Emir Veledar, Baptist Health South Florida
  • Michael J. Blaha, Johns Hopkins Medicine
  • Roger Blumenthal, Johns Hopkins Medicine
  • James K. Min, Weill Cornell Medicine
  • Reza Fazel, Emory University School of Medicine
  • Peter W.F. Wilson, Emory University School of Medicine
  • Matthew J. Budoff, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Date of this Version
3-13-2018
Document Type
Article
Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) imparts a heavy economic burden on the U.S. health care system. Evidence regarding the long-term costs after comprehensive CVD screening is limited. Objectives: This study calculated 10-year health care costs for 6,814 asymptomatic participants enrolled in MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis), a registry sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health. Methods: Cumulative 10-year costs for CVD medications, office visits, diagnostic procedures, coronary revascularization, and hospitalizations were calculated from detailed follow-up data. Costs were derived by using Medicare nationwide and zip code–specific costs, inflation corrected, discounted at 3% per year, and presented in 2014 U.S. dollars. Results: Risk factor prevalence increased dramatically and, by 10 years, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia was reported in 19%, 57%, and 53%, respectively. Self-reported symptoms (i.e., chest pain or shortness of breath) were common (approximately 40% of enrollees). At 10 years, approximately one-third of enrollees reported having an echocardiogram or exercise test, whereas 7% underwent invasive coronary angiography. These utilization patterns resulted in 10-year health care costs of $23,142. The largest proportion of costs was associated with CVD medication use (78%). Approximately $2 of every $10 were spent for outpatient visits and diagnostic testing among the elderly, obese, those with a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level >3 mg/l, or coronary artery calcium score (CACS) ≥400. Costs varied widely from <$7,700 for low-risk (Framingham risk score <6%, 0 CACS, and normal glucose measurements at baseline) to >$35,800 for high-risk (persons with diabetes, Framingham risk score ≥20%, or CACS ≥400) subgroups. Among high-risk enrollees, CVD costs accounted for $74 million of the $155 million consumed by MESA participants. Conclusions: Longitudinal patterns of health care resource use after screening revealed new evidence on the economic burden of treatment and testing patterns not previously reported. Maintenance of a healthy population has the potential to markedly reduce the economic burden of CVD among asymptomatic individuals.

Citation Information
Leslee J. Shaw, Abhinav Goyal, Christina Mehta, Joe Xie, et al.. "10-Year Resource Utilization and Costs for Cardiovascular Care" (2018)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/emir-veledar/376/