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The European Journal of Health Economics

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Open Access 13-01-2023 | Care | Original Paper

Does uptake of specialty care affect HRQoL development in COPD patients beneficially? A difference-in-difference analysis linking claims and survey data

Authors: Alisa Stöber, Pavo Marijic, Christoph Kurz, Larissa Schwarzkopf, Florian Kirsch, Anja Schramm, Reiner Leidl

Published in: The European Journal of Health Economics | Issue 9/2023

Abstract

Background

There is an evidence gap on whether the choice of specialty care beneficially affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study analyzes how newly initiated pulmonologist care affects the generic and disease-specific HRQoL in COPD patients over a period of 1 year.

Methods

We linked claims data with data from two survey waves to investigate the longitudinal effect of specialty care on HRQoL using linear Difference-in-Difference models based on 1:3 propensity score matched data. Generic HRQoL was operationalized by EQ-5D-5L visual analog scale (VAS), and disease-specific HRQoL by COPD assessment test (CAT). Subgroup analyses examined COPD patients with low (GOLD AB) and high (GOLD CD) exacerbation risk.

Results

In contrast to routine care patients, pulmonologists’ patients (n = 442) experienced no significant deterioration in HRQoL (VAS − 0.0, p = 0.9870; CAT + 0.5, p = 0.0804). Models unveiled a small comparative advantage of specialty care on HRQoL (mean change: CAT − 0.8, VAS + 2.9), which was especially pronounced for GOLD AB (CAT − 0.7; VAS + 3.1).

Conclusion

The uptake of pulmonologist care had a statistically significant, but not clinically relevant, beneficial impact on the development of HRQoL by slowing down overall HRQoL deterioration within 1 year. Including specialty care more appropriately in COPD management, especially at lower disease stages (GOLD AB), could thus improve patients’ health outcome.

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Title: Does uptake of specialty care affect HRQoL development in COPD patients beneficially? A difference-in-difference analysis linking claims and survey data
Authors: Alisa Stöber
Pavo Marijic
Christoph Kurz
Larissa Schwarzkopf
Florian Kirsch
Anja Schramm
Reiner Leidl
Publication date: 13-01-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Care
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
Published in: The European Journal of Health Economics / Issue 9/2023
Print ISSN: 1618-7598
Electronic ISSN: 1618-7601
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10198-022-01562-7

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Does uptake of specialty care affect HRQoL development in COPD patients beneficially? A difference-in-difference analysis linking claims and survey data

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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