Examining the effectiveness of hydroxyurea in people with sickle cell disease.
Publication/Presentation Date
2-1-2010
Abstract
This study investigated hydroxyurea use in people with sickle cell disease (SCD) outside of a research setting. Pharmacy data, outpatient visits, hospital admissions, and length of stay were assessed for all patients with SCD enrolled in a Medicaid managed care organization in Maryland. Three hundred and ninety (390) people with SCD were covered between the years 2001-2005. A large majority (85.9%) never had a claim for a hydroxyurea refill. Hydroxyurea users had higher admission rates than non-hydroxyurea users (5 vs. 1.5, p=.004). Patients who were in the highest tertile of refills of hydroxyurea had significantly fewer hospital admissions than patients in the lowest tertile (2.44 vs. 7.57, p=.043). Patients with the lowest hydroxyurea refill usage had significantly higher mean costs per month enrolled than those with the highest number ($4,553 vs. $2,017, p=.031). Hydroxyurea was underutilized in this patient population. Patients with more regular refills of hydroxyurea had fewer admissions to the hospital and markedly decreased costs.
Volume
21
Issue
1
First Page
277
Last Page
286
ISSN
1548-6869
Published In/Presented At
Lanzkron, S., Haywood, C., Jr, Fagan, P. J., & Rand, C. S. (2010). Examining the effectiveness of hydroxyurea in people with sickle cell disease. Journal of health care for the poor and underserved, 21(1), 277–286. https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.0.0272
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
20173269
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article