advertisement
Abstract #77102 Published in IGR 19-3
The Association of Socioeconomic Status with Severity of Glaucoma and the Impacts of Both Factors on the Costs of Glaucoma Medications: A Cross-Sectional Study in West Bengal, India
Chakravarti TJournal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2018; 34: 442-451
PURPOSE: To evaluate the association of socioeconomic status (SES) with severity of glaucoma and assess the impacts of both SES and disease-severity factors on the costs of glaucoma medications among different glaucoma subtypes in West Bengal, India. METHODS: This cross-sectional study (2014-16) followed the treatment of 304 primary glaucoma patients for at least 18 months. The visual field based glaucoma staging was followed for stages 0-3; patients with field of vision <10° were categorized as stage 4 (end stage). We checked only the mean cost of glaucoma medications per patient and not "direct costs." The individuals' monthly incomes were classified into: low, moderate, and higher SES. RESULTS: Urban residence (odds ratio [OR] 0.6, P < 0.009), higher SES (OR 0.3, P < 0.001), and higher awareness (nearly 50%, P < 0.007) significantly lowered the odds of having end-stage glaucoma. Sixty-nine percent primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and 79% juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG) belonged to low SES, forming the bulk of end-stage glaucoma. Overall medical cost from stage 0 to advanced stage in all subtypes rises except in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Only 28% eyes from low SES were treated with branded drugs in early disease and that too declined to 16% in stage 4, while 57% higher SES used branded medications in early disease stage. Expenditure as a percent of income was the highest in JOAG (16%) followed by PACG (15%) and POAG (14%) among low SES. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate SES influences on disease outcome, the clinical management, and the glaucoma medication expenses in West Bengal. Medical costs of glaucoma increase with worsening disease severity; greater use of generic drugs does not always ensure direct cost savings.
Full article
Classification:
14 Costing studies; pharmacoeconomics
9.2.2 Other risk factors for glaucoma (Part of: 9 Clinical forms of glaucomas > 9.2 Primary open angle glaucomas)
