Burden and treatment patterns of advanced basal cell carcinoma among commercially insured patients in a United States database from 2010 to 2014

Publication date: Available online 6 April 2017
Source:Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Author(s): Michael Migden, Jipan Xie, Jin Wei, Wenxi Tang, Vivian Herrera, Jacqueline B. Palmer
BackgroundThe burden of advanced basal cell carcinoma (aBCC) is not fully understood.ObjectiveTo compare BCC disease burden and treatment patterns for aBCC with those for non-aBCC.MethodsA retrospective, insurance claims–based study design was used. Adults with ≥2 claims associated with a BCC diagnosis (ICD-9-CM 173.x1) separated by ≥30 days on or after October 1, 2011, were classified as aBCC or non-aBCC by using an algorithm based on metastasis diagnosis, radiation therapy use, and medical oncologist/other specialist use. Non-aBCC and aBCC patients were matched 1:1 on the basis of age, sex, and region, and assigned the same index date (date of first qualifying diagnosis or event). Comparisons were made using Wilcoxon signed-rank (continuous variables) and McNemar's (categorical variables) tests.ResultsIn total, 847 matched aBCC/non-aBCC patient pairs were selected (mean age 75 years; 57% men; locally advanced BCC, n = 826; metastatic BCC, n = 21). During the 12-month study period following the index date, aBCC patients had a significantly higher mean Charlson Comorbidity Index (P = .0023), significantly higher mean numbers of outpatient/dermatologist/medical oncologist visits (all P < .0001), and significantly higher mean total/medical/inpatient/outpatient/BCC treatment costs (all P < .05).LimitationsThis study only included information from a database on commercial insurance and Medicare claims. The algorithm criteria might have restricted patient numbers; data were not fully reflective of targeted therapy era.ConclusionsaBCC patients had a higher disease burden than non-aBCC patients. Cost differences were largely driven by higher BCC treatment costs, specifically radiation therapy.



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