Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

___________________________________________

Monday, April 5, 2010

Effects of Naltrexone Treatment for Alcohol-Related Disorders on Healthcare Costs in an Insured Population

To determine the impact of treatment with oral naltrexone on healthcare costs in patients with alcohol-related disorders.

Naltrexone patients (n = 1,138; 62% men; mean age 45 ± 11 years) had significantly higher total healthcare expenditures in the pre-index period than either of the control groups. In the postindex period, naltrexone patients had a significantly smaller increase than alcohol controls in total alcohol-related expenditures. Total nonalcohol-related expenditures also increased significantly less for the naltrexone group than for the alcohol control group.

Multivariate analyses showed that naltrexone treatment significantly reduced alcohol-related, nonalcohol-related, and total healthcare costs relative to alcohol controls.

Although prior to treatment patients with alcohol-related disorders had higher healthcare costs, treatment with oral naltrexone was associated with reductions both in alcohol-related and nonalcohol-related healthcare costs.

Read Full Abstract

Request Reprint E-Mail: kranzler@psychiatry.uchc.edu

__________________________________________

at