Resource use and healthcare costs in patients with active and inactive SLE without lupus nephritis. Results are reported as mean (SD) or percentage. Comparisons between the 2 groups were done using unpaired Student t test or chi-squared test. p < 0.05 is considered a statistically significant difference when applicable.
| No. Visits/Use | Resource Use | Cost Can$/4 Weeks | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALNN, n = 38 | ILNN, n = 24 | ALNN | ILNN | Mean (95% CI) | |
| Health professional (MD1 + non-MD2) | 2.2 (2.2) | 2.6 (4.2) | 126 (132) | 117 (200) | 8 (−76, 93) |
| Rheumatologist | 0.7 (0.9) | 0.4 (0.7) | 43 (49) | 23 (41) | 20 (−3, 43) |
| Nephrologist | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 0 (0, 0) |
| Family physician | 0.6 (1.0) | 0.4 (0.6) | 18 (31) | 12 (20) | 6 (−7, 19) |
| Internist | 0.2 (0.4) | 0.04 (0.2) | 10 (24) | 3 (13) | 7 (−2, 17) |
| Dermatologist | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.3) | 0 (0) | 3 (11) | −3 (−8, 1) |
| Ophthalmologist | 0.2 (0.5) | 0.2 (0.4) | 7 (18) | 7 (16) | 0.3 (−8, 9) |
| Other MD specialties | 0.4 (0.8) | 0.4 (0.6) | 15 (28) | 21 (31) | −6 (−22, 9) |
| Total MD visits | 2.1 (2.0) | 1.5 (1.6) | 98 (87) | 67 (74) | 32 (−10, 73) |
| Total non-MD visits | 0.3 (1.1) | 1.1 (3.2) | 25 (81) | 51 (146) | −26 (−92, 41) |
| Diagnostic tests | 2.6 (3.3) | 1.7 (2.7) | 167 (358) | 117 (181) | 49 (−89, 187) |
| Blood | 1.2 (1.3) | 0.9 (1.7) | 23 (25) | 16 (32) | 6 (−8, 21) |
| Urine | 0.7 (1.0) | 0.2 (0.4) | 7 (12)* | 2 (4) | 6* (1, 10) |
| Radiograph | 0.1 (0.3) | 0.2 (0.4) | 4 (11) | 8 (19) | −4 (−13, 5) |
| CT scan | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.2 (0.4) | 0 (0)* | 66 (150) | −66* (−114, −17) |
| MRI | 0.05 (0.2) | 0.0 (0.0) | 37 (159) | 0 (0) | 37 (−15, 89) |
| Other tests3 | 0.6 (1.3) | 0.3 (0.7) | 95 (247) | 25 (60) | 70 (−14, 154) |
| Alternative treatments | 0.8 (1.5) | 0.9 (1.6) | 97 (209) | 85 (182) | 12 (−89, 113) |
| Assistive devices | 0.2 (0.6) | 0.1 (0.3) | 54 (209) | 54 (175) | 0.2 (−99, 99) |
| Hospital emergency, % | 10.5 | 4.2 | 18 (54) | 7 (35) | 11 (−12, 34) |
| Surgical procedures, % | 2.6 | 0.0 | 21 (130) | 0.0 | 21 (−22, 64) |
| Hospitalization, % | 8.3 | 0.0 | |||
| Length of hospital stay, days | 5.7 (3.8) | 0.0 | 197 (762) | 0.0 | 197 (−61, 455) |
| Medications, % | 100 | 100 | 247 (326) | 200 (214) | 47 (−90, 184) |
| Total cost, $ | 974 (1191) | 581 (621) | 393 (−84, 871) | ||
| Annual cost, $ | 12,666 (15,489) | 7,551 (8075) | 5116 (−1088, 11,318) | ||
↵* Statistically significant from ILNN at p < 0.05.
↵1 Rheumatologist, nephrologist, internist, family physician, gynecologist, ophthalmologist, dermatologist, immunologist, respirologist, cardiologist, gastroenterologist, orthopedic surgeon, plastic surgeon, bariatric surgeon, endocrinologist, dentist, neurologist, psychiatrist, and ear-nose-throat specialist.
↵2 Naturopath, dietician, pharmacist, acupuncturist, psychotherapist, nurse, massage therapist, physiotherapist, and chiro practor.
↵3 Endoscopy, ultrasound imaging, biopsy procedure, breathing test, Pap smear, visual fields test, Doppler test, Holter monitor, cytoscopy, bone mineral density, mammogram, and electrocardiogram. ALNN: active lupus nephritis-negative; ILNN: inactive lupus nephritis-negative; CT: computed tomography; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging.