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1- Faculty of Advanced Technology, Department of Nanotechnology, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran. , roozbahani@iust.ac.ir
2- Department of E-health, School of Basic Science, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
3- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Science, Shahroud, Iran.
2- Department of E-health, School of Basic Science, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
3- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Science, Shahroud, Iran.
Abstract: (42 Views)
Objectives: Given the limited evidence on healthcare service delivery patterns for patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in Iran, this study aimed to analyze outpatient visits, hospitalizations, and medication use pathways among AD patients using national health insurance data.
Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, data on physician visits, hospital admissions, and medication utilization of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease between 2019 and 2022 were extracted from the Iranian Health Insurance Organization database. After data preprocessing, the records were transformed into event logs. Process discovery and analysis of care pathways for patients with and without comorbidities were conducted using Apromore and RapidMiner software.
Results: A total of 35,295 patients with comorbid conditions were identified, accounting for 136,444 healthcare visits (mean: 3.8 visits per patient), with a mean age of 71.5 years. The average process duration in this group was 9.5 months, with a mean of 32 physician visits and 22 hospital admissions during the study period.
In contrast, 125,080 patients without comorbidities accounted for 395,915 visits (mean: 3.1 visits per patient) and had a mean age of 74.8 years. The average process duration for this group was 7.2 months, with mean numbers of 30 physician visits and 9 hospital admissions. Patients with diabetes, hypertension, and neurological disorders incurred the highest medication-related costs. Donepezil and memantine were the most frequently prescribed medications.
Conclusion: By reporting process-level insights and demonstrating the impact of comorbidities on healthcare utilization, hospitalization frequency, medication costs, and treatment duration in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, this study highlights the value of process mining as an effective analytical tool for health and medical data analysis
Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, data on physician visits, hospital admissions, and medication utilization of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease between 2019 and 2022 were extracted from the Iranian Health Insurance Organization database. After data preprocessing, the records were transformed into event logs. Process discovery and analysis of care pathways for patients with and without comorbidities were conducted using Apromore and RapidMiner software.
Results: A total of 35,295 patients with comorbid conditions were identified, accounting for 136,444 healthcare visits (mean: 3.8 visits per patient), with a mean age of 71.5 years. The average process duration in this group was 9.5 months, with a mean of 32 physician visits and 22 hospital admissions during the study period.
In contrast, 125,080 patients without comorbidities accounted for 395,915 visits (mean: 3.1 visits per patient) and had a mean age of 74.8 years. The average process duration for this group was 7.2 months, with mean numbers of 30 physician visits and 9 hospital admissions. Patients with diabetes, hypertension, and neurological disorders incurred the highest medication-related costs. Donepezil and memantine were the most frequently prescribed medications.
Conclusion: By reporting process-level insights and demonstrating the impact of comorbidities on healthcare utilization, hospitalization frequency, medication costs, and treatment duration in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, this study highlights the value of process mining as an effective analytical tool for health and medical data analysis
Keywords: Alzheimer’s Disease, Care Pathways, Treatment Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Medication Use, Process Mining, Health Insurance
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