Table 2.
Adjusted all-cause or MS-specific ER and hospitalization visits
| Variablea | All-cause ER visits | All-cause hospitalizations | MS-specific ER visits | MS-specific hospitalizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
MS Relapse ≥2 |
1.33 (1.15-1.54)b |
1.97 (1.67-2.32)b |
1.72 (1.43-2.08)b |
3.25 (2.47-4.29)b |
|
Age group |
|
|
|
|
| (36–45, Ref: 18–35) |
0.81 (0.70-0.93)c |
0.66 (0.54-0.80)b |
0.82 (0.67-1.01) |
1.20 (0.79-1.83) |
| (46–55, Ref: 18–35) |
0.75 (0.65-0.85)b |
0.79 (0.66-0.94)c |
0.70 (0.58-0.85)d |
0.95 (0.63-1.43) |
| (56–65, Ref: 18–35) |
0.83 (0.72-0.95)c |
1.02 (0.86-1.22) |
0.70 (0.58-0.85)d |
0.82 (0.54-1.25) |
| (65+, Ref: 18–35) |
1.12 (0.95-1.32) |
1.70 (1.38-2.08)b |
0.71 (0.55-0.90)c |
0.92 (0.55-1.52) |
|
Female (Ref: male) |
1.10 (1.01-1.20)c |
0.95 (0.85-1.06) |
1.07 (0.93-1.22) |
0.87 (0.68-1.12) |
|
Region |
|
|
|
|
| North Central (Ref: Northeast) |
1.16 (1.03-1.30)c |
1.09 (0.94-1.27) |
1.60 (1.32-1.95)b |
1.24 (0.88-1.76) |
| South (Ref: Northeast) |
1.03 (0.91-1.16) |
1.01 (0.87-1.18) |
1.33 (1.09-1.62)c |
0.97 (0.68-1.38) |
| West (Ref: Northeast) |
0.95 (0.84-1.08) |
0.93 (0.78-1.10) |
1.64 (1.33-2.02)b |
0.82 (0.54-1.22) |
| Unknown (Ref: Northeast) |
1.63 (0.54-4.92) |
1.04 (0.22-4.85) |
1.08 (0.14-8.55) |
7.77 (1.57-38.53)c |
|
Non-Employee (Ref: Employee) |
1.07 (1.00-1.15) |
1.06 (0.97-1.17) |
1.12 (1.00-1.25)c |
1.35 (1.09-1.67)c |
|
Plan type |
|
|
|
|
| HMO and POS capitation (Ref: FFS) |
0.94 (0.85-1.04) |
0.93 (0.81-1.06) |
1.13 (0.98-1.30) |
0.80 (0.58-1.11) |
| Missing (Ref: FFS) |
0.76 (0.59-0.98) |
0.79 (0.57-1.11) |
0.91 (0.63-1.32) |
0.67 (0.27-1.65) |
|
CCI |
1.13 (1.10-1.16)b |
1.21 (1.17-1.25)b |
1.04 (1.0-1.09) |
1.09 (1.01-1.17)c |
|
Any MS symptoms |
1.53 (1.40-1.67)b |
1.47 (1.30-1.66)b |
1.56 (1.36-1.80)b |
1.70 (1.24-2.33)c |
|
Any DMT use |
0.87 (0.80-0.94)c |
0.79 (0.72-0.87)b |
0.96 (0.85-1.07) |
1.24 (0.98-1.57) |
|
All-cause ER visits |
2.50 (2.31-2.71)b |
1.75 (1.58-1.94)b |
2.33 (2.07-2.62)b |
1.86 (1.47-2.35)b |
| All-cause hospitalizations | 1.37 (1.24-1.52)b | 2.43 (2.16-2.73)b | 1.46 (1.27-1.69)b | 3.12 (2.43-4.01)b |
MS=multiple sclerosis; Ref=reference; HMO=health maintenance organization; POS=point of service; FFS=fee for service; CCI=Charlson Comorbidity Index; DMTs=disease modifying therapy; ER=emergency room.
aVariables were from 2009 and outcomes measured in 2010.
bAll tests were statistically significant at P<0.0001, cP<0.05; and dP<0.001.