Healthcare resource use in myasthenia gravis: a US health claims analysis

Background: There are limited data on the impact of myasthenia gravis (MG) on real-world healthcare resource use (HCRU) and patient burden in the United States.

Objectives: This study aims to assess HCRU in patients with MG using data from a US health claims database.

Design: A retrospective, database study of adult patients newly diagnosed with MG, using the IBM^® MarketScan^® Commercial Claims and Encounters and Medicare supplemental health insurance claims database.

Methods: Patients with ⩾2 MG International Classification of Disease diagnosis codes ⩾3 months apart were followed from the date of their first MG diagnosis record or start of treatment. HCRU and use of immunoglobulins and plasma exchange during follow-up was assessed, as well as comorbidities, hospitalizations, emergency room (ER) visits, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and specialist visits per year after diagnosis, and compared with age- and sex-matched non-MG controls.

Results: During 2010-2019, 7194 patients were followed for up to 10 years (median = 2.3 years). During follow-up, patients with MG were 2.6-fold more likely than controls to be hospitalized, and 4.5-fold more likely to be admitted to an ICU. Risk and numbers of ER admission, hospitalization, and ICU visits were the highest in the 12 months post-diagnosis of MG and were consistently higher than controls during follow-up. MG was the main cause for most hospitalizations.

Conclusion: Patients with MG have higher HCRU, compared with the age- and sex-matched non-MG controls. The early years after MG diagnosis are a period of particularly high healthcare burden, with many patients requiring hospitalization and ICU care to manage serious exacerbations.