PMH15 - prevalence and incidence rates among alcohol-dependent patients in the us medicare population

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To examine incidence and prevalence rates among alcohol-dependentpatients in the U.S. Medicare population. METHODS: A prospective study was performed from 01JAN2008 through 31DEC2012 to determine the prevalence and incidence of patients diagnosed with alcohol dependence (International Classificationof Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis code 303) in the U.S.Medicare population. Patients were required to have continuous enrollment in afee-for-service Medicare health plan during the calendar year and at least 2 yearsprior. The age- and gender-adjusted prevalence and incidence (overall and ageand gender-specific) rates of alcohol-dependent patients were calculated by directstandardization to the U.S. population age ?65 years in 2010. RESULTS: The annualadjusted overall prevalence rate increased from 0.30% in 2008 to 1.05% in 2012,whereas the annual overall incidence rate decreased from 0.30% in 2008 to 0.20%in 2012. Alcohol dependence prevalence and incidence rates were higher amongmen than women every year. Patients age 65-69 years had the highest prevalencerates during 2008 (0.43%) and 2009 (0.63%), whereas in 2010 (0.82%), 2011 (1.14%) and2012 (1.43%), patients age 70-74 years had the highest prevalence rates. Prevalencerates grew steadily among all age groups from 2008 to 2012. The highest alcoholdependence incidence rate was observed in the Virgin Islands (917.6 per 100,000person-years) in 2008, whereas in 2012, Wyoming (409.3 per 100,000 person-years)had the highest incidence rate. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing prevalence and decreas ing incidence of alcohol dependence was observed from 2008 to 2012. In addition,men were more likely to have alcohol dependence than women.