Recent research has revealed how a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can cause dramatic increases in health care costs for patients.
The study showed that after diagnosis, expenses double within 10 years for patients with moderate and severe SLE.
“This might represent costs associated with long-term SLE care and comorbid disease,” researchers stated, according to the American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC). “However, this rise should be viewed with caution, given the smaller sample size in later years and might be explained by outlier cases (e.g. those with organ damage as a result of SLE).”
The research conducted by Barnabas Desta, et. al, found that the biggest driver of medical costs among patients with SLE was primary care, AJMC reported.
“Earlier diagnosis and treatment might reduce disease severity and occurrence of comorbidities and the high health care costs associated with SLE,” researchers said, according to AJMC.
Desta and colleagues noted that adverse events associated with treatment, together with comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease and stroke, lead to high rates of health care utilization in SLE patients.
