Study Examines Continued Economic Burden of Acute Coronary Syndrome Despite Standard Medical Interventions
06 April 2006 - 11:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
INDIANAPOLIS and TOKYO, April 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Acute
coronary syndrome (ACS), one of the most common illnesses in the
United States, is a major contributor to the overall economic
burden of cardiovascular disease, estimated at $403.1 billion in
2006.(1) Despite major advances in the treatment of ACS, a new
study of 15,508 patients demonstrates that new and recurrent cases
remain significant drivers of hospital, medical and pharmacy costs.
Total costs for newly diagnosed patients with ACS were $14,274,
while costs for patients with recurrent ACS were $12,899, according
to a study presented at the 18th annual meeting of the Academy of
Managed Care Pharmacy in Seattle. "This study illustrates that ACS
continues to impose a significant financial burden on the
healthcare system, even after an acute event occurs," said one of
the study investigators, Patrick McCollam, Pharm.D., Research
Scientist, Eli Lilly and Company. "Although patients' first cardiac
events incurred the highest costs, recurrence of events contributed
significantly to healthcare utilization." Acute coronary syndrome,
a condition that includes heart attacks and heart-related chest
pain (unstable angina), affects more than 879,000 Americans each
year.(1) Despite treatment guidelines, data indicates
underutilization of heart medications in ACS patients. When
antiplatelet therapy is used, future cardiac events are
significantly reduced, but recent studies have shown that up to a
third of patients are not responding adequately, or not responding
at all, to their current antiplatelet therapy.(2) "Acute coronary
syndrome is far too costly, not only for the health care system but
also for the patients who bear the brunt of this disabling
illness," said J. Anthony Ware, M.D., vice president, Lilly
Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company. "Survivors of heart
disease often notice diminished quality of life, compromised
functional abilities, and loss of productivity. Improving the
management of ACS is critical so fewer people face these
devastating consequences." About the Data In the retrospective
study, "Burden of Illness for Patients with New and Recurrent Acute
Coronary Syndrome," 15,508 ACS patients with a primary diagnosis of
unstable angina or heart attack were identified at a large U.S.
managed care organization. Patient claims were examined the year
before, and up to a year after, the first diagnosis, called the
"index event." Hospitalizations, revascularizations, and overall
costs for new (no previous ACS diagnosis) and recurrent (previous
evidence of ACS) patients were compared and analyzed. Of the 15,508
identified patients, 82 percent were new ACS patients and 18
percent were recurrent ACS patients. Newly diagnosed patients with
ACS were more likely to have a heart attack and be hospitalized for
the index event, leading to higher overall index event costs versus
the recurrent group ($14,274 versus $12,899). Patients with
recurrent events, however, were rehospitalized more frequently
during follow-up (0.817 episodes per patient versus 0.57 episodes
per patient), stayed in the hospital significantly longer than new
onset patients (mean of 7.2 days versus 6.1 days) and were more
likely to undergo revascularization procedures during follow up
(20.4% versus 16.9%). In addition, recurrent patients had more
physician office visits (mean of 22.09 versus 17.86) and ER visits
(mean of 2.33 versus 2.14), and higher laboratory utilization
during follow up (mean of 7.41 versus 6.40). It is important to
note that the recurrent patients were older (average age 59) than
new patients, and comorbidities were more prevalent in recurrent
patients, thereby increasing the risk of medical complications and
corresponding healthcare utilization. "Despite substantial progress
in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease, it still
accounts for one out of three fatalities," said Francis Plat, M.D.,
Vice President, Clinical Development - Cardiovascular, Daiichi
Sankyo, Inc. "Consequently, researchers are focusing on developing
new therapies to ultimately improve health outcomes for patients."
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.
and worldwide, killing 17 million people each year.(3) Despite
current medical interventions, 300,000 people experience recurrent
heart attacks and 500,000 people die from heart attacks annually in
the U.S.(1) Heart attacks are the leading single cause of death
among types of ACS. Unstable angina occurs in approximately 6 out
of every 10,000 people, affecting 124,000 patients each year.(3)
About Lilly Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is
developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class
pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its
own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent
scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind.,
Lilly provides answers -- through medicines and information -- for
some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Additional
information is available at http://www.lilly.com/. P-LLY About
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited Daiichi Sankyo Company, Limited was
established on Sept. 28, 2005, as the joint holding company of two
major Japanese pharmaceutical companies - Sankyo Co., Ltd., and
Daiichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Daiichi Sanyko is a global
pharmaceutical innovator, continuously generating innovative drugs
and services and maximizing its corporate value. Sankyo and Daiichi
Pharmaceutical have a broad range of major drug products on the
Japanese market, including the antihypertensive Benicar(R)
(olmesartan medoxomil) and the synthetic antibacterial agent
Cravit(R) (levofloxacin). Both companies have used their cumulative
knowledge and expertise in the field of cardiovascular disease as a
foundation for developing an abundant product lineup and R&D
pipeline. For further details, please refer to the company Web site
at http://www.daiichisankyo.co.jp/eng/. References: (1) American
Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - Update
2006. (2) Muller, I., Besta, F., Schulz, C., Massberg, S., Schonig,
A., and Gawaz, M. Prevalence of clopidogrel non-responders among
patients with stable angina pectoris scheduled for elective
coronary stent placement. Thromb Haemost 2003; 89: 783-787 (3)
World Health Organization. The Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke -
Types of Cardiovascular Disease 2005. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060314/LILLYSANKYOLOGO )
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060314/LILLYSANKYOLOGO
DATASOURCE: Eli Lilly and Company CONTACT: Janice Chavers of Eli
Lilly and Company, +1-317-651-6253, cell: +1-317-612-4974, pager:
+1-888-422-3853; Jo-ann Straat, Daiichi Sankyo (New Jersey),
+1-973-359-2602, or Shigemichi Kondo, Daiichi Sankyo (Tokyo),
81-3-6225-1126
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