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. 2015 Jul 17:7:335-45.
doi: 10.2147/CLEP.S85496. eCollection 2015.

Prevalence of bone metastases and bone-targeting agent use among solid tumor patients in the United States

Rohini K Hernandez  1 , Avanti Adhia  2 , Sally W Wade  3 , Emily O'Connor  1 , Jorge Arellano  1 , Kevin Francis  2 , Hasmik Alvrtsyan  4 , Ryan P Million  4 , Alexander Liede  5
Affiliations

Prevalence of bone metastases and bone-targeting agent use among solid tumor patients in the United States

Rohini K Hernandez et al. Clin Epidemiol. .

Abstract

Purpose: Patients with bone metastases are at an increased risk of experiencing morbidity due to bone complications, and bone-targeting agents (BTA) are indicated for the prevention of these complications. Population-based estimates of the prevalence of bone metastases associated with solid tumors, and current treatment patterns for these patients, are limited. This study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of bone metastases from solid tumors and to describe recent trends in the use of BTA in the US.

Methods: We estimated the prevalence of bone metastases in the US in 2012 using data from Medicare fee-for-service and PharMetrics Plus, a large commercial claims database. We evaluated the proportion of patients with bone metastases who were treated with BTA in 2012, timing of initiation of BTA relative to bone metastasis diagnosis, and persistence on BTA, overall and by primary tumor type and treatment.

Results: There were ~330,000 (168,063 Medicare fee-for-service; 162,239 other) patients aged ≥18 years living with solid tumors and bone metastases in 2012. BTA were used by 43% (Commercial) to 47% (Medicare) of patients in 2012, with the greatest use among breast cancer patients. Over half (Medicare: 57%; Commercial: 53%) of BTA-treated patients initiated BTA after experiencing a bone complication.

Conclusion: Of the estimated 330,000 solid tumor patients living with bone metastases in the US in 2012, many may have received less than optimal care to prevent bone complications during the calendar year.

Keywords: bone metastasis; prevalence; solid tumor.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Projection methodology. Abbreviations: FFS, fee-for-service; CMS, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Study populations. Note: *First ICD-9-CM bone metastasis diagnosis on or after January 1, 2011, and no bone metastasis diagnoses in prior 12 months. Abbreviations: ICD-9-CM, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification; BTA, bone-targeting agent.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Twelve-month persistence with BTA. Notes: (A) All Medicare patients, (B) all Commercial patients, (C) Medicare patients excluding the patients who died in 2012, and (D) Commercial patients excluding the patients who died in 2012. Abbreviation: BTA, bone-targeting agent.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Twelve-month persistence with BTA. Notes: (A) All Medicare patients, (B) all Commercial patients, (C) Medicare patients excluding the patients who died in 2012, and (D) Commercial patients excluding the patients who died in 2012. Abbreviation: BTA, bone-targeting agent.
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