Considerable Decrease Observed in Inpatient Costs Without Statistical Significance After Periodontal Treatment in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease

Findings from a study published in Dentistry Journal provided evidence of a meaningful reduction in inpatient costs after periodontal treatment, in spite of a lack of statistical significance in the majority of cases. Moreover, additional studies are warranted.

This retrospective cohort study examined the correlation between periodontal treatment and different kinds of healthcare costs in newly diagnosed coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. The researchers theorized that periodontal treatment will substantially decrease healthcare costs in patients with CHD.

The study population included data from 21,263 adults who were continuously insured between 2011 and 2016 and who were newly diagnosed with CHD in 2013.

Results revealed that periodontal treatment was documented for 4.7% of the individuals in the study population. Newly diagnosed CHD patients showed an average treatment effect (ATE) of 0.98 for total healthcare costs (95% CI 0.90–1.06), 0.79 for inpatient costs (95% CI 0.61–1.04), and 0.95 for drug costs (95% CI 0.87–1.04).  A statistically significant 7% increase in outpatient costs was demonstrated (95% CI 1.01–1.13).

The authors indicated that statistically significant results were only observed in outpatient costs and a  minor boost in outpatient costs after periodontal treatment was apparent. In contrast, a propensity towards more decreasing costs in the inpatient sector was observed, but without statistical significance.

“Due to a low utilization of periodontal treatments by insured persons, the results of our study are not sufficiently robust. In most cases, no statistically significant effects could be demonstrated. Prospective studies with higher numbers of exposed cases are needed. However, our study provides evidence of meaningful decreasing inpatient costs after periodontal treatment.”, concluded the authors.

Reference

Blaschke K, Hellmich M, Samel C, Listl S, Schubert I. Association between Periodontal Treatment and Healthcare Costs in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: A Cohort Study Based on German Claims Data. Dent J (Basel). 2022 Jul 13;10(7):133. doi: 10.3390/dj10070133