Resource utilization impact of topiramate for migraine prevention in the managed-care setting^*

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the pattern of headache-related resource utilization and costs before and after initiation of preventive migraine treatment with topiramate in a sample of a large managed-care population.

Methods: This study was a retrospective, longitudinal, cohort study analysis of medical and pharmacy claims using The HealthCore Integrated Research Network Database. Patients were required to have had at least one pharmacy claim for topiramate between 7/1/00 and 11/30/04, and at least 12 dosage units dispensed of any combination of acute migraine treatments (triptan, ergotamine, or ergotamine combination) during the 6-month period preceding the first pharmacy claim for topiramate (the index date). Headache-related inpatient and outpatient resource utilizations were compared pre-index vs. post-index period 1 (months 1–6) and pre-index vs. post-index period 2 (months 7–12). Statistical analyses included McNemar tests for categorical variables and paired t-tests for continuous variables.

Results: A total of 3246 patients met the inclusion criteria. The mean (± SD) age was 44 ± 10 years and 88% were female. From pre- to post-index period 2, outpatient visits significantly decreased by 30% (p < 0.0001), diagnostic procedures decreased by 74% (p = 0.0013), emergency room (ER) visits decreased by 27% (p < 0.0001), and abortive prescriptions decreased by 25% (p < 0.0001). No significant differences were found in mean number of hospitalization days. Total headache-related inpatient costs and outpatient costs decreased (p < 0.01) during post-index period 2 (43 and 46%, respectively). Headache-related pharmacy costs increased from pre- to post-index period 2.

Conclusion: Topiramate treatment for migraine prevention was associated with significantly lower healthcare resource use (ER visits, diagnostics, acute treatment) in the first 6 months of treatment, with continuing decreases, including physician office visits, during the second 6 months of treatment.

Limitations: Since this study is a claims-based analysis there is the potential introduction of non-claims identifiable factors that might influence resource use such as lifestyle modifications and over-the-counter medications. In addition, adherence to topiramate treatment was not accounted for in this study. Nonetheless, this study provides important insights into the benefit of preventive migraine treatment in actual clinical practice.

Key words: :

• Cost
• Headache
• Migraine prophylaxis
• Resource use
• Topiramate

Acknowledgments

Declaration of interest: This study was supported by Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs LLC. A. Z. Y. and M. F. T. R. are employees of Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs. No editorial assistance was provided during the preparation of this manuscript.

Notes

* These data were presented at the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research 12th Annual Meeting, Arlington, VA, USA, May 19–23, 2007