Objective:

To describe the healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) related to patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treated at the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) since 2015 according to age-groups.

Methods:

This study analyzed outpatient and inpatient data for SMA patients from the Brazilian Unified Health System database (DATASUS) from January 2015 to September 2020. Data were collected from patients with ICD-10 codes G12.0 (Infantile spinal muscular atrophy, type I [Werdnig-Hoffman]) or G12.1 (Other inherited spinal muscular atrophy), plus with at least one claim of nusinersen OR at least one claim of any SMA-related procedure groups codes since 2010. SMA-related procedures were defined based on collaborative work involving authors from medical boarding composed by physicians from SUS.

Results:

In total, 3,775 patients with SMA fulfilled the eligibility criteria. Physiotherapy changed from 11.34 (2.49 – 24.40) procedures PPPY in the 0 - 6-month old group to 3.30 (0.84 – 11.76) procedures PPPY in the > 36-month old group. The median of orthosis was 1.64 (0.66 – 3.41) procedures PPPY in the 0 – 6-month old group and 0.63 (0.34 – 1.33) PPPY in the > 36-month-old group. Exams were primarily performed for younger groups (0 – 6 months and > 6 – 18 months). The percentage of patients that needed some ventilatory care seems greater, and the speech therapy and the use of nusinersen seem lower along with age.

Conclusion:

This study has demonstrated important HCRU at the SUS setting with SMA patients. In addition, our results highlight the need to implement evidence-based strategies to manage SMA patients and drive cost savings for the health care system.