Adherence and length of therapy with 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5ARI) treatment may be associated with improved clinical outcomes of enlarged prostate (EP) as well as lower health care costs. The objective of this retrospective database analysis is to quantify the relationship between adherence and length of therapy with a 5ARI and the likelihood of acute urinary retention (AUR) or prostate surgery (emergency and non-emergency) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The study will also measure the economic impact associated with these medical encounters. The MarketScan database contains data from people with commercial health insurance and Medicare and includes both medical and pharmacy data that are sourced directly from health plans and employers. Approximately 18 million covered lives will be utilized for this study in the time period from January 1, 2003 to September 30, 2009. This study is a retrospective cohort analysis of medical claims data.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
54,459
A 5ARI: Either dutasteride or finisteride
The occurence of a diagnosis code for acute urinary retention (AUR) or a procedure code for prostate surgery
The occurence of a code for either AUR or prostate surgery will be identified for patients who were adherent with 5ARI therapy as measured with a medication possession ratio (MPR)
Time frame: One year following the first date of 5ARI therapy
Mean costs associated with AUR or prostate surgery
The mean costs of outpatient and inpatient visits associated with the diagnosis code for AUR or the procedure codes for prostate surgery will be compared between patients who were compliant with 5ARI therapy and those who were not
Time frame: One year following the first date of 5ARI therapy
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