Treatment costs related to bipolar disorder and comorbid conditions among Medicaid patients with bipolar disorder

Mind-Body Connection: Cardiovascular Sequelae of Psychiatric Illness

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Mental health disorders are associated with the onset and progression of cardiac disease. The adverse sequelae of this association include worsened quality of life, adverse cardiovascular outcomes, and heightened mortality. The increased prevalence of CVD is partly explained by increased rates of traditional cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and smoking, but mental illness is an independent risk factor for CVD and mortality. Given the association between mental health disorders and poor cardiovascular health, it is vital to have an early and accurate identification and treatment of these disorders. Our review article shares the current literature on the adverse cardiovascular events associated with psychiatric disorders. We present a review on depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, type A and D personality disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and stress.

Hospitalization risk among adults with bipolar I disorder treated with lurasidone versus other oral atypical antipsychotics: a retrospective analysis of Medicaid claims data

OBJECTIVE

To compare the risk of hospitalization for adult Medicaid beneficiaries with bipolar I disorder treated with lurasidone vs. other oral atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) as monotherapy.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of the IBM MarketScan Multi-State Medicaid Claims database identified adults with bipolar I disorder who initiated an AAP (index date) between 1 January 2014 and 30 June 2019. Patients were continuously enrolled 12 months pre- and 24 months post-index date. Each month during the post-index period was categorized as monotherapy with lurasidone, aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine or risperidone, no/minimal treatment, or other. Marginal structural models were performed to estimate hospitalization risk and length of stay (LOS) (all-cause and bipolar I disorder-related) compared to lurasidone.

RESULTS

The analysis included 8262 adults. Compared to lurasidone, the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of all-cause hospitalization were significantly higher for olanzapine (aOR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.09-2.10) and quetiapine (aOR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.18-1.89). The risk was significantly higher for bipolar I disorder-related hospitalization for quetiapine (aOR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.10-2.04) and risperidone (aOR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.04-2.56) compared to lurasidone. The bipolar I disorder-related LOS per 100 patient-months was more than twice as long for quetiapine (8.42 days) compared to lurasidone (3.97 days, p < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Lurasidone-treated adult Medicaid patients with bipolar I disorder had significantly lower risk of all-cause hospitalization than those treated with olanzapine and quetiapine and lower risk of bipolar I disorder-related hospitalization than quetiapine and risperidone. Bipolar I disorder-related hospital LOS was significantly shorter for patients treated with lurasidone compared to quetiapine.

Hospitalization Risk for Adults with Bipolar I Disorder Treated with Oral Atypical Antipsychotics as Adjunctive Therapy with Mood Stabilizers: A Retrospective Analysis of Medicaid Claims Data

Background: Atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) with mood stabilizers are recommended as a first-line treatment for patients with bipolar disorder. No studies have compared the inpatient health care resource utilization for patients with bipolar disorder treated with lurasidone as adjunctive therapy with mood stabilizers compared with other oral AAPs. Objective: To compare the risk of hospitalization for adult Medicaid beneficiaries with bipolar I disorder when treated with lurasidone compared with other oral AAPs as adjunctive therapy with mood stabilizers. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used the MarketScan Research Databases Multi-State Medicaid Database (IBM, Armonk, NY) claims data to assess patients with bipolar I disorder between January 1, 2014, and June 30, 2019. Adult patients who initiated oral AAP treatment with mood stabilizers (index date) and who were continuously enrolled 12 months before (pre-index) and 24 months after (post-index) the index date were included. Treatment categories assigned by patient-month included lurasidone, aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, or ziprasidone with mood stabilizers; no/minimal treatment; AAP monotherapy; and other. Marginal structural models were performed to estimate the all-cause and psychiatric hospitalization rates and hospital length of stay associated with each adjunctive AAP therapy by controlling for both time-invariant and time-varying confounders. Results: Adults with bipolar I disorder (N = 11,426; mean age = 39.4 years; female=73%) treated with an adjunctive oral AAP with mood stabilizers during the index month were categorized into lurasidone (12%), aripiprazole (17%), olanzapine (7%), quetiapine (32%), risperidone (11%), ziprasidone (7%), or other (15%) treatment groups. The adjusted odds of all-cause and psychiatric hospitalization were significantly higher for olanzapine (all causes: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.59; 95% CI, 1.13-2.25; psychiatric: aOR = 1.61, 95% CI, 1.12-2.32), quetiapine (all-causes: aOR = 1.27, 95% CI, 1.01-1.58; psychiatric: aOR = 1.28, 95% CI, 1.02-1.59), and ziprasidone (all-causes: aOR = 1.68, 95% CI, 1.05-2.66; psychiatric: aOR = 1.55, 95% CI, 1.02-2.35) compared with lurasidone with mood stabilizers. The adjusted odds of all-cause and psychiatric hospitalizations were numerically lower for lurasidone compared with aripiprazole. The all-cause hospital length of stay per 100 patient-months was significantly higher for olanzapine (20.3 days) and quetiapine (16.0 days) compared with lurasidone (12.2 days, both P values < 0.05). Conclusions: In a Medicaid population, adults with bipolar I disorder treated with lurasidone as adjunctive therapy with mood stabilizers had significantly lower all-cause and psychiatric hospitalization rates compared with olanzapine, quetiapine, and ziprasidone. Fewer hospitalizations may reduce the economic burden associated with bipolar disorder. (Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2021; 82:XXX-XXX).

Screening for and Treating Postpartum Depression and Psychosis: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Objectives Postpartum depression impacts 6.5-12.9% of U.S. women. Postpartum depression is associated with impaired bonding and development, marital discord, suicide, and infanticide. However, the current standard of care is to not screen women for postpartum depression. This study modeled the cost-effectiveness of physicians screening for and treating postpartum depression and psychosis in partnership with a psychiatrist. Methods This study follows a hypothetical cohort of 1000 pregnant women experiencing one live birth over a 2-year time horizon. We used a decision tree model to obtain the outcomes of screening for and treating postpartum depression and psychosis using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. We use a Medicaid payer perspective because they cover approximately 50% of births in the U.S. The cost-effectiveness of the intervention is measured in cost per remission achieved and cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. We conducted both deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses. Results Screening for and treating postpartum depression and psychosis produced 29 more healthy women at a cost of $943 per woman. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of the intervention branch compared to usual care were $13,857 per QALY gained (below the commonly accepted willingness to pay threshold of $50,000/QALY gained) and $10,182 per remission achieved. These results were robust in both the deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses of input parameters. Conclusions for Practice Screening for and treating postpartum depression is a cost-effective intervention and should be considered as part of usual postnatal care, which aligns with the recently proposed recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Economic Impact in Medicaid Beneficiaries with Schizophrenia and Cardiometabolic Comorbidities Treated with Once-Monthly Paliperidone Palmitate vs. Oral Atypical Antipsychotics

Objective

The objective of this study was to compare persistence, costs, and healthcare resource utilization in patients with schizophrenia and cardiometabolic comorbidities treated with once-monthly paliperidone palmitate or an oral atypical antipsychotic.

Methods

Medicaid data from six states (07/2009–03/2015) were used to identify adults with schizophrenia and cardiometabolic comorbidities initiated on once-monthly paliperidone palmitate or an oral atypical antipsychotic (index date) on 01/2010 or after. Persistence to index medication at 12 months (no gap ≥ 90 days) was compared between patients taking once-monthly paliperidone palmitate and an oral atypical antipsychotic using Chi-squared tests. The 12-month post-index healthcare costs and healthcare resource utilization were compared using multivariate ordinary least squares and Poisson regression, respectively.

Results

Selected patients taking once-monthly paliperidone palmitate (n = 371) were younger (mean age: 45.0 vs. 47.5 years, standardized difference = 24%) than patients taking oral atypical antipsychotics (n = 8296). Persistence at 12 months was higher in patients taking once-monthly paliperidone palmitate (40 vs. 33%, p = 0.006). Adjusted all-cause medical costs were lower in patients taking once-monthly paliperidone palmitate vs. patients taking oral atypical antipsychotics (mean monthly cost differences = US $ − 369, p = 0.004) while all-cause pharmacy costs were higher (mean monthly cost differences = US $279, p < 0.001), resulting in no significant difference in total costs (mean monthly cost differences = US $ − 90, p = 0.357). No significant difference was observed in cardiometabolic comorbidity-related pharmacy or medical costs. Compared with patients taking oral atypical antipsychotics, patients taking once-monthly paliperidone palmitate had more schizophrenia-related outpatient visits (incidence rate ratio = 1.44, p < 0.001) but fewer cardiometabolic comorbidity-related inpatient admissions (incidence rate ratio = 0.73, p < 0.001) with shorter lengths of stay (incidence rate ratio = 0.72, p = 0.020), and fewer cardiometabolic comorbidity-related long-term care admissions (incidence rate ratio = 0.56, p = 0.016).

Conclusions

Medicaid beneficiaries with schizophrenia and cardiometabolic comorbidities who were initiated on once-monthly paliperidone palmitate had similar 12-month total healthcare costs compared with oral atypical antipsychotics. Cardiometabolic comorbidity-related utilization of inpatient and long-term care services was lower in patients taking once-monthly paliperidone palmitate.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s40801-018-0130-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Prevalence and Medical Costs of Chronic Diseases Among Adult Medicaid Beneficiaries

INTRODUCTION

This review summarizes the current literature for the prevalence and medical costs of noncommunicable chronic diseases among adult Medicaid beneficiaries to inform future program design.

METHODS

The databases MEDLINE and CINAHL were searched in August 2016 using keywords, including Medicaid, health status, and healthcare cost, to identify original studies that were published during 2000-2016, examined Medicaid as an independent population group, examined prevalence or medical costs of chronic conditions, and included adults within the age group 18-64 years. The review and data extraction was conducted in Fall 2016-Spring 2017. Disease-related costs (costs specifically to treat the disease) and total costs (all-cause medical costs for a patient with the disease) are presented separately.

RESULTS

Among the 29 studies selected, prevalence estimates for enrollees aged 18-64 years were 8.8%-11.8% for heart disease, 17.2%-27.4% for hypertension, 16.8%-23.2% for hyperlipidemia, 7.5%-12.7% for diabetes, 9.5% for cancer, 7.8%-19.3% for asthma, 5.0%-22.3% for depression, and 55.7%-62.1% for one or more chronic conditions. Estimated annual per patient disease-related costs (2015 U.S. dollars) were $3,219-$4,674 for diabetes, $3,968-$6,491 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and $989-$3,069 for asthma. Estimated hypertension-related costs were $687, but total costs per hypertensive beneficiary ranged much higher. Estimated total annual healthcare costs were $29,271-$51,937 per beneficiary with heart failure and $11,446-$20,585 per beneficiary with schizophrenia. Costs among beneficiaries with cancer were $29,384-$46,194 for the 6 months following diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings could help inform the evaluation of interventions to prevent and manage noncommunicable chronic diseases and their potential to control costs among the vulnerable Medicaid population.

Simplifying profiles of comorbidity in bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Comorbid psychiatric symptoms in bipolar disorder (BD) predict poorer course of illness and treatment outcome. The sheer number of comorbid symptoms has thwarted developing treatments to address these comorbid concerns. The goal of this study was to develop a more parsimonious approach to understanding clusters of comorbid symptoms within BD.

METHOD

Data were collected as part of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Structured diagnostic interviews were conducted with 43,093 participants using the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-DSM-IV (AUDADIS-IV). Analyses were conducted on lifetime symptom counts for the most common 14 comorbid disorders among the 1411 persons who met lifetime criteria for bipolar I disorder.

RESULTS

An exploratory factor analysis with promax rotation as well as confirmatory factor analyses revealed a three-factor solution of Externalizing, Anxiety, and Mood syndromes, with a higher order Internalizing factor comprised of the Mood and Anxiety factors.

LIMITATIONS

Further research is needed in a clinical sample.

CONCLUSIONS

Comorbid symptoms in BD tend to cohere into Internalizing and Externalizing disorders, which could simplify research and treatment on comorbidity in BD.

Medicaid Expenditures for Fee-for-Service Enrollees with Behavioral Diagnoses: Findings from a 50 State Claims Analysis

Medicaid is an important funder of care for individuals with behavioral (psychiatric and/or substance use) diagnoses, and expenditures will likely increase with expansion of services under the Affordable Care Act. This study provides national estimates of Medicaid expenditures using a comprehensive sample of fee-for-service Medicaid enrollees with behavioral diagnoses. Data for analysis came from 2003 to 2004 Medicaid Analytic eXtract (MAX) files for 50 states and the District of Columbia. Individuals with behavioral diagnoses had high rates of chronic medical comorbidities, and expenditures for medical (non-behavioral) diagnoses accounted for 74 % of their health care expenditures. Total Medicaid expenditure was approximately 15 billion dollars (equivalent to 18.91 billion in 2016 dollars) for individuals with any behavioral diagnosis. Medicaid fee-for-service beneficiaries with behavioral diagnoses have a high treated prevalence of individual medical comorbid conditions, and the majority of health care expenditures in these individuals are for medical, rather than behavioral health, services.

Cardiometabolic comorbidities, readmission, and costs in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder: a real-world analysis

BACKGROUND

Serious mental illnesses are associated with increased risk of cardiometabolic comorbidities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of cardiometabolic comorbidity and its association with hospitalization outcomes and costs among inpatients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

METHODS

This retrospective database analysis reviewed patients with an inpatient diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder from the Premier Perspective® Database (4/1/2010-6/30/2012). Patients were categorized into 4 cohorts based on the number of ICD-9-CM cardiometabolic comorbidities (i.e., 0, 1, 2, or 3+). Outcomes included length of stay, mortality during the index hospitalization, healthcare costs, and 30-day all-cause readmission rates.

RESULTS

Of 57,506 patients with schizophrenia, 66.1% had at least one cardiometabolic comorbidity; 39.3% had two or more comorbidities. Of 124,803 patients with bipolar disorder, 60.5% had at least one cardiometabolic comorbidity; 33.4% had two or more. Average length of stay was 8.5 (for patients with schizophrenia) and 5.2 (for patients with bipolar disorder) days. Each additional cardiometabolic comorbidity was associated with an increase in length of stay for patients with bipolar disorder (p < .001) but not for patients with schizophrenia. Mortality rates during the index hospitalization were 1.2% (schizophrenia) and .7% (bipolar disorder). Each additional cardiometabolic comorbidity was associated with a significant increase in mortality for patients with bipolar disorder (OR 1.218, p < .001), and a numerical increase in mortality for patients with schizophrenia (OR 1.014, p = .727). Patients with more cardiometabolic comorbidities were more likely to have a 30-day readmission (schizophrenia = 9-13%; bipolar disorder = 7-12%), and to incur higher costs (schizophrenia = $10,606-15,355; bipolar disorder = $7126-13,523) (all p < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Over 60% of inpatients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder had cardiometabolic comorbidities. Greater cardiometabolic comorbidity burden was associated with an increased likelihood of readmission and higher costs among patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and an increase in length of stay and mortality for patients with bipolar disorder.

State Variation in the Delivery of Comprehensive Services for Medicaid Beneficiaries with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

Medicaid beneficiaries with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder require a range of services and supports. This descriptive study used 2007 Medicaid claims data from 21 states and the District of Columbia to examine the extent to which this population received guideline-concordant medications, medication monitoring, outpatient mental health care, and preventive physical health care. More than 80 % of beneficiaries in each state filled at least one prescription for a guideline-concordant medication during the year but, on average, only 57 % of those with schizophrenia and 45 % of those with bipolar disorder maintained a continuous supply of medications. Roughly 25 % did not have an outpatient mental health visit during the year (excluding case management and some other services); in some states more than half did not have such a visit. Only 11 % of beneficiaries received a physical health examination or health behavior counseling when claims codes were used to identify these services rather than all primary care physician visits. Less than 5 % of beneficiaries maintained their supply of medications, received medication monitoring and had an outpatient mental health visit, physical health examination or received health behavior counseling during the year. Although these rates of service utilization are likely conservative and the data predate recent efforts to integrate care, the findings underscore the need for quality improvement efforts targeted to this population and may provide a baseline for monitoring progress.

The prevalence and burden of bipolar depression

BACKGROUND

Bipolar disorder is characterized by debilitating episodes of depression and mood elevation (mania or hypomania). For most patients, depressive symptoms are more pervasive than mood elevation or mixed symptoms, and thus have been reported in individual studies to impose a greater burden on affected individuals, caregivers, and society. This article reviews and compiles the literature on the prevalence and burden of syndromal as well as subsyndromal presentations of depression in bipolar disorder patients.

METHODS

The PubMed database was searched for English-language articles using the search terms "bipolar disorder," "bipolar depression," "burden," "caregiver burden," "cost," "costs," "economic," "epidemiology," "prevalence," "quality of life," and "suicide." Search results were manually reviewed, and relevant studies were selected for inclusion as appropriate. Additional references were obtained manually from reviewing the reference lists of selected articles found by computerized search.

RESULTS

In aggregate, the findings support the predominance of depressive symptoms compared with mood elevation/mixed symptoms in the course of bipolar illness, and thus an overall greater burden in terms of economic costs, functioning, caregiver burden, and suicide.

LIMITATIONS

This review, although comprehensive, provides a study-wise aggregate (rather than a patient-wise meta-analytic) summary of the relevant literature on this topic.

CONCLUSION

In light of its pervasiveness and prevalence, more effective and aggressive treatments for bipolar depression are warranted to mitigate its profound impact upon individuals and society. Such studies could benefit by including metrics not only for mood outcomes, but also for illness burden.

Effects of oxidative stress on fatty acid- and one-carbon-metabolism in psychiatric and cardiovascular disease comorbidity

OBJECTIVE

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in severe psychiatric disorders (depression, schizophrenia). Here, we provide evidence of how the effects of oxidative stress on fatty acid (FA) and one-carbon (1-C) cycle metabolism, which may initially represent adaptive responses, might underlie comorbidity between CVD and psychiatric disorders.

METHOD

We conducted a literature search and integrated data in a narrative review.

RESULTS

Oxidative stress, mainly generated in mitochondria, is implicated in both psychiatric and cardiovascular pathophysiology. Oxidative stress affects the intrinsically linked FA and 1-C cycle metabolism: FAs decrease in chain length and unsaturation (particularly omega-3 polyunsaturated FAs), and lipid peroxidation products increase; the 1-C cycle shifts from the methylation to transsulfuration pathway (lower folate and higher homocysteine and antioxidant glutathione). Interestingly, corresponding alterations were reported in psychiatric disorders and CVD. Potential mechanisms through which FA and 1-C cycle metabolism may be involved in brain (neurocognition, mood regulation) and cardiovascular system functioning (inflammation, thrombosis) include membrane peroxidizability and fluidity, eicosanoid synthesis, neuroprotection and epigenetics.

CONCLUSION

While oxidative-stress-induced alterations in FA and 1-C metabolism may initially enhance oxidative stress resistance, persisting chronically, they may cause damage possibly underlying (co-occurrence of) psychiatric disorders and CVD. This might have implications for research into diagnosis and (preventive) treatment of (CVD in) psychiatric patients.

Influence of psychiatric disorders on surgical outcomes and care resource use in Japan

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of psychiatric disorders on major surgery outcomes and care resource use.

METHODS

This study adopted a retrospective cohort study design. The samples consisted of hospital stays. Subjects were patients who had undergone major surgery. We used multilevel regression analysis to quantify the influence of psychiatric disorders on major surgery outcomes and care resource use.

RESULTS

The total number of hospital stays included in the study was 5569, of which 250 were patients with psychiatric disorders. Compared with those without psychiatric disorders, those with schizophrenia had a significantly higher risk of complications, and those with neurotic disorder tended to have fewer complications. Total cost was significantly higher for those with schizophrenia and mood disorder and significantly lower in those with neurotic disorder. Lengths of stay were significantly longer for those with schizophrenia and mood disorder but not for those with neurotic disorder. Post-surgical mortality was equivalent among those with any psychiatric disorder and among those without a psychiatric disorder.

CONCLUSION

The study revealed that surgical outcomes and care resource use are differentiated by psychiatric disorders.

A pilot study investigating tumor necrosis factor-α as a potential intervening variable of atypical antipsychotic-associated metabolic syndrome in bipolar disorder

BACKGROUND

Strong associations exist between tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Although TNF-α is associated with bipolar depression (BD), its role in atypical antipsychotic (AAP)-associated MetS in BD is unclear. Here, we investigate the potential intervening role of TNF-α in the indirect relationship between AAP treatment and MetS in BD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a cross-sectional design, 99 euthymic BD volunteers were stratified by the presence or the absence of MetS (National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III). Serum TNF-α concentration, determined via chemiluminescent immunometric assays, was compared between groups (ie, MetS or no MetS). We investigated the intervening effect of TNF-α on the relation between AAP treatment and MetS in BD using regression techniques.

RESULTS

Treatment with those antipsychotics believed associated with a higher risk for MetS (ie, AAPs: olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, paliperidone, clozapine) was found to be associated with significantly greater TNF-α (F 1,88 = 11.2, P = 0.001, mean difference of 1.7 ± 0.51) and a higher likelihood of MetS (F 1,88 = 4.5, P = 0.036) than in those not receiving treatment with an AAP. Additionally, TNF-α was greater (trending toward significance; T 52 = 2.0, P = 0.05) in BD volunteers with MetS and was found to have a statistically significant effect on the indirect relationship between AAP treatment and elevated waist circumference in these BD volunteers.

DISCUSSION

These results identify TNF-α as a potential intervening variable of AAP-associated MetS in BD, not previously identified in this population. Future prospective studies could assess the predictive potential of TNF-α in determining risk of AAP-associated MetS in BD. Given previous evidence relating TNF-α and mood state in BD, this study increases the importance in understanding the role of TNF-α in "mind-body" interactions and renews discussions of the utility of research into the clinical efficacy of TNF-α antagonist treatment in mood disorders.

Risk of hypertension in patients with bipolar disorder in Taiwan: a population-based study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors of hypertension in patients with bipolar disorder in Taiwan.

METHOD

The National Health Research Institute provided a database of 1,000,000 random subjects for study in Taiwan. Study subjects ≥ 18 years or older had at least one service claim during 2005 for either outpatient or inpatient care, with a primary or secondary diagnosis of hypertension combined with antihypertensive drug treatment were identified. We also compared the incidence of hypertension in patients with bipolar disorder and the general population from 2006 through 2010.

RESULTS

The 1-year prevalence of hypertension in patients with bipolar disorder was higher than the general population (18.13% vs. 13.22%, odds ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-1.64) in Taiwan. Compared with the general population, patients with bipolar disorder had a higher prevalence of hypertension among 18- to 39-year-olds and 40- to 59-year-olds, in both sexes, and in the group with lower socioeconomic status. The average annual incidence of hypertension in patients with bipolar disorder from 2006 to 2010 was higher than the general population (2.83% vs. 1.99%, risk ratio, 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-1.62). Patients with bipolar disorder had a higher incidence of hypertension among 18- to 39-year-olds and 40- to 59-year-olds and in both sexes compared with the general population.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with bipolar disorder had a higher prevalence and a higher incidence of hypertension than those in the general population. Prevention, early detection, and comprehensive treatment of hypertension are important issues for patients with bipolar disorder.

Association between prior authorization for medications and health service use by Medicaid patients with bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the association between a Medicaid prior-authorization policy for second-generation antipsychotic and anticonvulsant agents and medication discontinuation and health service use by patients with bipolar disorder.

METHODS

A pre-post design with a historical comparison group was used to analyze Maine Medicaid and Medicare claims data. A total of 946 newly treated patients were identified during the eight-month policy (July 2003-February 2004), and a comparison group of 1,014 was identified from the prepolicy period (July 2002-February 2003). Patients were stratified by number of visits to community mental health centers (CMHCs) before medication initiation (proxy for illness severity): CMHC attenders, at least two visits; nonattenders, fewer than two. Changes in rates of medication discontinuation and outpatient, emergency room, and hospital visits were estimated.

RESULTS

Compared with nonattenders, at baseline CMHC attenders had substantially higher rates of comorbid mental disorders and use of medications and health services. The policy was associated with increased medication discontinuation among attenders and nonattenders, reductions in mental health visits after discontinuation among attenders (-.64 per patient per month; p<.05), and increases in emergency room visits after discontinuation among nonattenders (.16 per patient per month; p<.05). During the eight-month policy period, the policy had no detectable impact on hospitalization risk.

CONCLUSIONS

The prior-authorization policy was associated with increased medication discontinuation and subsequent changes in health service use. Although small, these unintended effects raise concerns about quality of care for a group of vulnerable patients. Long-term consequences of prior-authorization policies on patient outcomes warrant further investigation.

Comparison of second-generation antipsychotic treatment on psychiatric hospitalization in Medicaid beneficiaries with bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVE

To compare second-generation antipsychotics on time to and cost of psychiatric hospitalization in Medicaid beneficiaries with bipolar disorder.

METHODS

Retrospective study using healthcare claims from 10 US state Medicaid programs. Included beneficiaries were aged 18-64, initiated a single second-generation antipsychotic (aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, or ziprasidone) between 1/1/2003-6/30/2008 (initiation date=index), and had a medical claim with an ICD-9-CM diagnosis code for bipolar disorder. A 360-day post-index period was used to measure time to and costs of psychiatric hospitalization (inpatient claims with a diagnosis code for a mental disorder [ICD-9-CM 290.xx-319.xx] in any position). Cox proportional hazards models and Generalized Linear Models compared time to and costs of psychiatric hospitalization, respectively, in beneficiaries initiating aripiprazole vs each other second-generation antipsychotic, adjusting for beneficiaries' baseline characteristics.

RESULTS

Included beneficiary characteristics: mean age 36 years, 77% female, 80% Caucasian, aripiprazole (n=2553), mean time to psychiatric hospitalization or censoring=85 days; olanzapine (n=4702), 81 days; quetiapine (n=9327), 97 days; risperidone (n=4377), 85 days; ziprasidone (n=1520), 82 days. After adjusting for baseline characteristics, time to psychiatric hospitalization in beneficiaries initiating aripiprazole was longer compared to olanzapine (hazard ratio [HR]=1.52, p<0.001), quetiapine (HR=1.40, p<0.001), ziprasidone (HR=1.33, p=0.032), and risperidone, although the latter difference did not reach significance (HR=1.18, p=0.13). The adjusted costs of psychiatric hospitalization in beneficiaries initiating aripiprazole were significantly lower compared to those initiating quetiapine (incremental per-patient per-month difference=$42, 95% CI=$16-66, p<0.05), but not significantly lower for the other comparisons.

LIMITATIONS

This study was based on a non-probability convenience sample of the Medicaid population. Analyses of administrative claims data are subject to coding and classification error.

CONCLUSIONS

Medicaid beneficiaries with bipolar disorder initiating aripiprazole had significantly longer time to psychiatric hospitalization than those initiating olanzapine, quetiapine, or ziprasidone, and significantly lower adjusted costs for psychiatric hospitalization than those initiating quetiapine.

Cardiovascular disease and hypertension among adults with bipolar I disorder in the United States

OBJECTIVE

Despite ample evidence of excess cardiovascular mortality in bipolar disorder (BD), few studies have demonstrated increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and/or hypertension (HTN) in BD. We therefore examined this topic in a representative epidemiologic sample.

METHOD

The 2001-2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions was used to determine whether prevalence of physician-diagnosed CVD and HTN is elevated among subjects with lifetime bipolar I disorder (BD-I), and whether CVD and HTN are prevalent at earlier ages among subjects with BD-I.

RESULTS

The age-, race-, and sex-adjusted prevalence of CVD was significantly greater among subjects with BD-I versus controls [odds ratio (OR) = 4.95, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.27-5.75] and versus subjects with major depressive disorder [(MDD); OR =1.80, 95% CI: 1.52-2.14], as was the prevalence of HTN (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 2.16-2.62 versus controls, OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.30-1.61 versus MDD; p < 0.0001 for all). Controlling additionally for marital status, education, income, obesity, smoking, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders did not substantially alter these findings. The mean age of BD-I subjects with CVD and HTN was 14 and 13 years younger, respectively, than controls with CVD and HTN.

CONCLUSIONS

Adults with BD-I are at increased risk of CVD and HTN, prevalent over a decade earlier than non-BD adults. Strategies are needed to prevent excessive and premature cardiovascular burden in BD-I.

Frequency of subsyndromal symptoms and employment status in patients with bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the frequency of episodes and subsyndromal symptoms based on employment status in patients with bipolar disorder.

METHODS

Patients with bipolar disorder (n = 281) provided daily self-reported mood ratings for 5 months, returning 46,292 days of data. Data were analyzed using three employment status groups: disabled (n = 75), full-time employee or full-time student (n = 135), and other (n = 71). Demographic characteristics were compared by employment status. A univariate general linear model with employment status and other demographic variables as fixed factors and covariates was used to analyze the percent of days in episodes and percent of days with subsyndromal symptoms.

RESULTS

While there was no significant difference in the percent of days in episodes among the employment groups, disabled patients suffered subsyndromal symptoms of depression twice as frequently as those in the full-time group. Disabled patients spent 15% more days either in episodes or with subsyndromal symptoms than those in the full-time group, equivalent to about 45 extra sick days a year.

CONCLUSION

Frequent subsyndromal symptoms, especially depressive, may preclude full-time responsibilities outside the home and contribute to disability in bipolar disorder. Additional treatments to reduce the frequency of subsyndromal symptoms are needed.

Pharmacologic treatment of rapid cycling and mixed states in bipolar disorder: an argument for the use of lithium

Lithium has long been considered as less than ideal in the management of rapid cycling and mixed states in bipolar disorder. However, these forms of bipolarity represent a generally more difficult phase of the illness to treat with any medication. Increasing knowledge about lithium's other beneficial effects, including protection against suicide and neuromodulatory effects which may protect the brain, make it a first-line treatment for any form of bipolar disorder. As newer therapies become available or receive further exploration, we should look to the past and re-embrace lithium as a core therapeutic modality for bipolarity as we move forward in the field, particularly for forms of the disorder such as rapid cycling and mixed states, historically thought to be more treatment resistant.

Healthcare costs associated with treatment of bipolar disorder using a mood stabilizer plus adjunctive aripiprazole, quetiapine, risperidone, olanzapine or ziprasidone

OBJECTIVE

Bipolar disorder has an associated economic burden due to its treatment, including medication and hospitalization costs as well as costs associated with treatment of comorbid conditions. This study compared healthcare costs in patients treated with a mood stabilizer and adjunctive aripiprazole versus adjunctive olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone or ziprasidone.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A retrospective propensity score-matched cohort study was conducted in the LabRx integrated claims database from January 2003 to December 2006. Patients (18-65 years) with bipolar disorder and 180 days of pre-index enrolment without atypical treatment and 90 days post-index enrolment were eligible. Mood stabilizer therapy was initiated prior to index atypical prescription. Generalized gamma regressions were used to compare the total healthcare costs of adjunctive aripiprazole treatment and treatment with adjunctive olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone or ziprasidone.

RESULTS

After controlling for differences in baseline characteristics and pre-index cost, psychiatric costs and subtotal psychiatric and general medical costs were higher for all adjunctive atypicals than adjunctive aripiprazole (p<0.001). Based on gamma regressions cost ratios, there was no significant difference in general medical costs between aripiprazole and ziprasidone, olanzapine, or quetiapine; risperidone general medical costs were 18% higher versus aripiprazole (p=0.041). Aripiprazole pharmacy costs were higher than quetiapine and risperidone (p<0.001) but not olanzapine or ziprasidone. Total healthcare costs were higher for ziprasidone, olanzapine, or risperidone (p<0.001) but not quetiapine.

LIMITATIONS

Methodological restriction of patients to those newly initiated on an atypical antipsychotic and incomplete medication history limit the generalizability of the findings.

CONCLUSION

Adjunctive aripiprazole may have economic benefits over other atypicals in terms of lower psychiatric treatment costs than adjunctive olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone or ziprasidone, and lower total healthcare costs than adjunctive olanzapine, risperidone or ziprasidone.

Clinical and economic effects of unrecognized or inadequately treated bipolar disorder

The authors review the literature on the clinical and economic impact of unrecognized and inadequately treated bipolar disorder, highlighting the need to improve identification and treatment of this disabling disorder. Epidemiologic data on prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of bipolar disorder (including subthreshold conditions) are presented, including data from the recent National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Clinical factors that contribute to misdiagnosis and resulting inappropriate treatment of bipolar disorder are reviewed as well as negative clinical consequences of such misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. The economic impact of underrecognized and inadequately treated bipolar disorder is discussed. The data provide empirical support for screening all patients diagnosed with depression for evidence of bipolar disorder before initiating treatment, to ensure that bipolar illness is not misdiagnosed and treated as unipolar mood disorder. Readers are referred to performance measures and treatment resources assembled by the STAndards for BipoLar Excellence (STABLE) Project to help clinicians screen more accurately for bipolar disorder.