Timing of Eustachian tube balloon dilation: Impact on resource utilization and cost

Importance

Eustachian tube balloon dilation (ETBD) is a novel treatment option for adult patients with ETD, with superior efficacy to medical therapy. However, appropriate timing of performing ETBD hasn't been thoroughly examined.

Objective

This study compared healthcare resource utilization among patients with ETD that are treated early with ETBD (i.e., within 3 months of ETD diagnosis) versus those treated later (i.e., 3–12 months of ETD diagnosis).

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Utilizing Optum Clinoformatics Socio-Economic Status (SES) Database.

Participants

Patients aged 18 and older who had ETBD procedure between January 2017 to June 2021.

Interventions

Patients were classified into two groups based on the treatment timing of their incident diagnosis of ETD: early treated and late treated.

Main outcomes and measures

Outcomes including 12-month ETD-related surgical procedure rate, number of office visits, medication use, and total cost were assessed and compared among the study cohorts. Study outcomes were assessed using generalized linear regression.

Results

Two hundred seventy-seven patients were identified, with 173 patients in the early ETBD cohort and 104 patients in the late ETBD cohort. Early treated patients had significantly lower ETD-related surgical procedure rates (8.7 % vs. 17.3 %) lower rates (28.9 % vs. 48.1 %) and fewer (0.47 vs. 1.12) ETD-related office visits, and fewer medication claims (2.19 vs. 3.06). The early treated cohort had significantly lower ETD-related costs ($212.15 vs. $551) compared to patients treated later after diagnosis.

Conclusions and relevance

Among ETD patients undergoing ETBD, those treated early had significantly lower healthcare resource utilization and cost in comparison to those treated later. These results will hopefully add evidence to promote the early use of ETBD for purposes of patient benefit and decreased costs.

Level of evidence

IV