Resource use and healthcare costs for patients with SLE with and 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 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LN, n = 79 | LNN, n = 62 | LN | LNN | Mean (95% CI) | |
| Health professional (MD1 + non-MD2) | 3.0 (2.9) | 2.5 (3.1) | 139 (118) | 123 (160) | 17 (−30, 63) |
| Rheumatologist | 0.8 (0.7) | 0.6 (0.8) | 50 (44) | 35 (47) | 14 (−1, 30) |
| Nephrologist | 0.3 (0.7) | 0.0 (0.0) | 19 (42)* | 0 (0) | 19* (9, 30) |
| Family physician | 0.9 (1.3) | 0.5 (0.9) | 27 (41)* | 15 (27) | 12* (0.5, 23) |
| Internist | 0.01 (0.1) | 0.1 (0.3) | 1 (7)* | 7 (20) | −6* (−12, −1) |
| Dermatologist | 0.05 (0.2) | 0.03 (0.2) | 2 (9) | 1 (7) | 1 (−2, 3) |
| Ophthalmologist | 0.1 (0.4) | 0.2 (0.4) | 6 (15) | 7 (17) | −2 (−7, 4) |
| Other MD specialties | 0.1 (0.5) | 0.5 (0.9) | 5 (17)* | 18 (29) | −13* (−21, −5) |
| Total MD visits | 2.4 (2.2) | 1.9 (1.8) | 112 (96) | 86 (83) | 26 (−4, 55) |
| Total non-MD visits | 0.6 (1.7) | 0.6 (2.2) | 28 (67) | 35 (111) | −7 (−39, 25) |
| Diagnostic tests | 3.5 (3.5) | 2.3 (3.1) | 147 (277) | 148 (301) | −1 (−97, 96) |
| Blood | 1.7 (1.7) | 1.1 (1.5) | 31 (32)* | 20 (28) | 11* (1, 21) |
| Urine | 1.2 (1.5) | 0.5 (0.9) | 14 (17)* | 5 (10) | 8* (4, 13) |
| Radiographs | 0.2 (0.6) | 0.2 (0.4) | 8 (24) | 6 (15) | 2 (−5, 9) |
| CT scan | 0.1 (0.4) | 0.1 (0.2) | 35 (144) | 25 (97) | 9 (−31, 50) |
| MRI | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.03 (0.2) | 0 (0) | 23 (125) | −23 (−51, 5) |
| Other tests3 | 0.3 (0.6) | 0.5 (1.1) | 59 (199) | 68 (199) | −9 (−75, 58) |
| Alternative treatments | 0.9 (1.3) | 0.8 (1.5) | 83 (192) | 92 (197) | −9 (−75, 56) |
| Assistive devices | 0.3 (0.8) | 0.2 (0.5) | 34 (121) | 54 (195) | −21 (−74, 33) |
| Hospital emergency, % | 14.1 | 8.1 | 24 (61) | 14 (48) | 10 (−8, 29) |
| Surgical procedures, % | 6.4 | 1.6 | 51 (198) | 13 (102) | 38 (−13, 90) |
| Hospitalization, % | 6.5 | 5.0 | 76 (330) | 118 (595) | −42 (−212, 128) |
| Length of hospital stay, days | 2.8 (1.6) | 5.7 (3.8) | |||
| Medications, % | 99 | 100 | 398 (383)* | 229 (287) | 169* (54, 285) |
| Total cost, $ | 969 (765) | 814 (1011) | 155 (−149, 458) | ||
| Annual cost, $ | 12,597 (9946) | 10,585 (13,149) | 2012 (−2075, 6100) | ||
↵* Statistically significant from LNN at p < 0.05.
↵1 Rheumatologist, nephrologists, 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 chiropractor.
↵3 Endoscopy, ultrasound imaging, biopsy procedure, breathing test, Pap smear, visual fields test, Doppler test, Holter monitor, cytoscopy, bone mineral density, mammogram, and electrocardiogram. SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus; LN: lupus nephritis; LNN: lupus nephritis-negative; CT: computed tomography; MRI: magnetic resonance imaging.