The Economic Impact of Symptomatic Menopause Among Low-Socioeconomic Women in the United States

Abstract

Background: Menopausal symptoms have a significant negative impact on patient's quality of life and increase healthcare costs among women. Methods: This retrospective analysis used data from a U.S. national database (01 January 2008-31 December 2010). Patients with a diagnosis of menopause symptoms or a prescription claim for hormone therapy were matched to control patients. Healthcare resource utilization and costs during the 6-month follow-up period were compared. Generalized linear models were used to adjust for differences in baseline and demographic characteristics between the cohorts. Results: A total of 71,076 patients were included in each cohort. Patients with menopausal symptoms were more likely to have depression and anxiety and incurred significantly higher follow-up healthcare costs ($7237 vs $6739, p < 0.001) and healthcare utilization during the 6-month follow-up period. Conclusion: Patients diagnosed with menopausal symptoms or treated with hormone therapy incurred significantly higher healthcare costs than those without menopausal symptoms or treatment.