Period prevalence of chronic pancreatitis diagnosis from 2001-2013 in the commercially insured population of the United States

Background: Prevalence estimates of chronic pancreatitis (CP) in the US are scarce. We aimed to determine the prevalence of CP in the commercially insured population of the US. Methods: We analyzed the IQVIA Legacy PharMetrics database to calculate the period prevalence of CP from 2001 to 2013 among individuals with >= 1 year of enrollment. CP was defined as >= 1 healthcare contacts associated with a non-ancillary claim for a primary diagnosis of CP (ICD-9-CM 577.1). Prevalence estimates were age- and sex-adjusted to the 2010 US population. Sensitivity analysis was performed by using more stringent criteria: a) 1 claim of CP + [>= 1 claims of acute pancreatitis (AP), CP or pancreatic cyst/pseudocyst]; b) 1 claim of CP + [>= 1 claims for AP, CP or pancreatic cyst/pseudocyst in >= 3 months before or after the index CP claim]; c) >= 2 claims for CP; and d) >= 2 claims for CP separated by >= 6 months. Results: Of 48.67 million eligible enrollees, 37,061 received the diagnosis of CP (mean age, 51.2 +/- 15.2 years; 49% male). The age-and sex-adjusted period prevalence of CP per 100,000 was 73.4 (95% CI, 72.6 -74.1), 98.7 (95% CI, 97.7-99.7) for adults and 8.3 (95% CI, 7.8-8.8) for children. Prevalence of CP was slightly higher in males (sex ratio, 1.05) and highest in the age group of 46-55 years (135/100,000). On sensitivity analysis, the prevalence of CP per 100,000 decreased to 60.2, 39.7, 38.8, and 18.8 with each of the alternative definitions. Conclusion: Prevalence estimates reported in our study provide an insight into the population burden of CP in the US. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of IAP and EPC.