Cost of Care for Patients with Uncontrolled Epilepsy

Costs were substantially greater for uncontrolled versus controlled epilepsy in a claims-based analysis.

To investigate the cost differences between patients with epilepsy considered controlled versus uncontrolled, researchers conducted a retrospective analysis using the Medicaid databases of five states and a separate private-insurance population data source. Epilepsy cases met two criteria: (1) epilepsy diagnosis or ≥2 nonfebrile convulsions and (2) use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Epilepsy was considered uncontrolled if at least two AED switches occurred, each after at least 30 days of an AED regimen, and if at least one epilepsy-related emergency department visit or hospitalization occurred in the observation period (1 year). Cases classified as controlled did not meet either criteria. The researchers used propensity-score matching to mi…

Reviewing Author

Robert C. Knowlton, MD, MSPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMore Health, Inc.; The Alliance of Medical Companies

Grant/Research SupportNIH Small Business Innovation Research

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSouthern Epilepsy & EEG Society (Treasurer)

Robert C. Knowlton, MD, MSPH

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardMore Health, Inc.; The Alliance of Medical Companies

Grant/Research SupportNIH Small Business Innovation Research

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSouthern Epilepsy & EEG Society (Treasurer)