This study used Department of Defense Military Healthcare System (MHS) data from 2003-2012 to evaluate the economic burden of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Healthcare costs were determined for patients with at least one inpatient or three outpatient claims with a diagnosis of SMA before 18 years of age and who had ≥ 6 months of data after first SMA diagnosis or expired within 6 months of initial diagnosis. A comparator cohort was selected using a 3:1 match based on age and gender. A total of 239 individuals with SMA diagnosis met the inclusion criteria along with 717 matched comparator patients. The study concluded that individuals with SMA have a high degree of morbidity, particularly those diagnosed during infancy. SMA patients have significant medical expenditures and high utilization of healthcare services.
Armstrong EP, Malone DC, Yeh WS, Dahl GJ, Lee RL, Sicignano N. The economic burden of spinal muscular atrophy. J Med Econ. 2016 Jun 13:1-5.
