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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – ATLANTA – The use of nerve stimulation therapy in patients with refractory epilepsy is associated with a lower occurrence of epilepsy-related health problems and a lower use of healthcare resources, according to a new study from the Emory University School of Medicine. Refractory epilepsy is the occurrence of seizures that are not controlled with medication alone.
Findings of the study were presented Dec. 5 at the American Epilepsy Society Meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Sandra L. Helmers, MD, MPH, the R. Edward Faught, MD, professor of neurology at Emory School of Medicine, conducted the retrospective study of 1,655 patients treated with vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy from 1997 to 2009.
Using data from five Medicaid state claims databases, including Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and New Jersey, the study is the first to review the long-term medical and economic impact of VNS therapy for treatment of refractory epilepsy in a clinical setting.
VNS therapy is an adjunctive therapy to antiepileptic drugs in patients 12 years or older and the only FDA-approved implantable medical device for the treatment of refractory epilepsy. An implanted stimulator sends electric impulses to the left vagus nerve in the neck via a lead wire implanted under the skin.
“Poorly controlled seizures are an important risk factor for mortality in people with epilepsy and put patients at higher risk of physical injuries such as fractures or head injuries, as well as morbidities including depression and anxiety,” says Helmers.
“The results of this study demonstrate that with VNS therapy for patients with refractory epilepsy there may be improved clinical outcomes for patients that subsequently result in significant savings for the healthcare system.”
The study evaluated epilepsy-related health problems such as frequency of fractures and head trauma related to seizures. It also reviewed patient data for healthcare utilization including seizure-related and non-seizure-related emergency room visits, outpatient services, neurology services, and factors such as length of hospital stay and prescription drug claims.
Study results confirmed that use of VNS therapy in patients with refractory epilepsy is associated with:
A lower occurrence of epilepsy-related co-morbidities. Patients experienced fewer injuries and other health issues after being implanted with VNS therapy, compared to the period before VNS implantation.
A lower utilization of healthcare. All-cause hospitalizations and emergency room visits significantly decreased over time after implantation with VNS therapy compared to the six months prior to implantation.
Significant longer term cost savings. With a reduction in healthcare utilization and co-morbidities as a result of VNS therapy, there is a significant net total healthcare cost savings beginning at 1.5 years after implantation. The study found that average quarterly total healthcare costs were reduced approximately 28 percent, from an average of $19,945 pre-VNS implantation to $14,316 at 1.5 years after implantation.
“While there are initial costs to VNS therapy including the surgical procedure and the cost of the device, our study finds that the cost savings of VNS are usually seen in about 18 months,” says Helmers. “By reducing overall healthcare utilization such as emergency room visits, VNS therapy becomes a reasonable option for patients with medically refractory epilepsy.”
Learn more about Emory’s health sciences: http://emoryhealthblog.com – @emoryhealthsci (Twitter) – http://emoryhealthsciences.org
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