Table 3.

OCS Use Patterns

	1–12 Months Post-Index		1–24 Months Post-Index		1–36 Months Post-Index		1–48 Months Post-Index
OCS Use within Time Period	n/Mean	%/Median	n/Mean	%/Median	n/Mean	%/Median	n/Mean	%/Median
Patients included in analysis	183,637	100%	183,637	100%	183,637	100%	183,637	100%
Average patient months in period per patient	12		23		31		37
Cumulative OCS Dosea
0 mg	149,317	81%	133,854	73%	124,465	68%	118,112	64%
>0 to 500 mg	29,091	16%	39,400	21%	44,563	24%	47,612	26%
>500 to 1000 mg	3,752	2%	6,927	4%	9,249	5%	10,930	6%
>1000 to 1500 mg	784	0%	1,679	1%	2,557	1%	3,209	2%
>1500 mg	693	0%	1,777	1%	2,803	2%	3,774	2%
Mean/median mg among >0 mg patients	343	210	422	250	481	280	526	300
Number of OCS Prescriptions
0	149,317	81%	133,854	73%	124,465	68%	118,112	64%
1 Fill	24,433	13%	30,807	17%	33,367	18%	34,658	19%
2 Fills	6,251	3%	10,435	6%	12,755	7%	14,222	8%
3 Fills	1,948	1%	4,040	2%	5,717	3%	6,870	4%
≥4 Fills	1,688	1%	4,501	2%	7,333	4%	9,775	5%
Pattern of OCS use
No OCS use	149,317	81%	133,854	73%	124,465	68%	118,112	64%
Single episode	26,649	15%	33,627	18%	36,406	20%	37,819	21%
Sporadic episodes: at least 365 days apart	> 0	~0%	2,706	1%	5,128	3%	7,068	4%
Infrequent episodes: 182–364 days apart	1,816	1%	3,055	2%	3,373	2%	3,450	2%
Moderately infrequent episodes: 90–181 days apart	1,669	1%	2,164	1%	2,238	1%	2,263	1%
Frequent episodes: 15–89 days apart	2,982	2%	3,596	2%	3,796	2%	3,855	2%
Mixed: gaps between episodes are a mixture of the patterns listed above	> 1,194	~1%	4,635	3%	8,231	4%	11,070	6%

Notes: Results may be approximated with “>” or “~” in accordance with the CMS data use agreement. ^aCumulative OCS dose is standardized to prednisolone equivalents.

Abbreviations: OCS, oral corticosteroid; mg, milligram; CMS, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.