Abstract
Object. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) plays a significant role in the treatment of intractable epilepsy. The goal of this study was to analyze trends in the use of VNS for epilepsy in the US by using a nationwide database. Methods. Data for patients undergoing VNS were obtained from the nationwide inpatient sample for the years 1998-2005. Trends regarding number of procedures, length of stay (LOS), hospital charges, patient sex, and payer information were retrieved and analyzed. Results. The number of VNS procedures for epilepsy increased between 1998 and 2003 but decreased in the subsequent 2 years. The LOS and hospital charges showed yearly increases. Female patients underwent VNS implantation more than males did, and most procedures were performed in the 18- to 64-year-old age group. The combination of Medicare and Medicaid provided most of the funding for VNS from 2002 through 2005. The VNS procedures were performed mostly in teaching hospitals. Conclusions. Trends from a national database reveal consistent use of VNS for intractable epilepsy. Greater use of the procedure appears to be reflected in the female population, and the procedure has been performed most often at tertiary care teaching hospitals, where a comprehensive evaluation for all forms of therapy is arguably best able to target appropriate patients for appropriate therapies. With the recent application of VNS to target populations without epilepsy, such as patients with refractory depression, the trend of continued use of this treatment for epilepsy appears likely.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | E10 |
| Journal | Neurosurgical focus |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 28 2008 |
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Keywords
- Epilepsy surgery
- Intractable epilepsy
- Seizure disorder
- Vagus nerve stimulation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery
- Clinical Neurology
Cite this
Trends in the use of vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy : Analysis of a nationwide database. / Baaj, Ali A.; Benbadis, Selim R.; Tatum, William O.; Vale, Fernando L.
In: Neurosurgical focus, Vol. 25, No. 3, E10, 28.11.2008.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Trends in the use of vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy
T2 - Analysis of a nationwide database
AU - Baaj, Ali A.
AU - Benbadis, Selim R.
AU - Tatum, William O.
AU - Vale, Fernando L.
PY - 2008/11/28
Y1 - 2008/11/28
N2 - Object. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) plays a significant role in the treatment of intractable epilepsy. The goal of this study was to analyze trends in the use of VNS for epilepsy in the US by using a nationwide database. Methods. Data for patients undergoing VNS were obtained from the nationwide inpatient sample for the years 1998-2005. Trends regarding number of procedures, length of stay (LOS), hospital charges, patient sex, and payer information were retrieved and analyzed. Results. The number of VNS procedures for epilepsy increased between 1998 and 2003 but decreased in the subsequent 2 years. The LOS and hospital charges showed yearly increases. Female patients underwent VNS implantation more than males did, and most procedures were performed in the 18- to 64-year-old age group. The combination of Medicare and Medicaid provided most of the funding for VNS from 2002 through 2005. The VNS procedures were performed mostly in teaching hospitals. Conclusions. Trends from a national database reveal consistent use of VNS for intractable epilepsy. Greater use of the procedure appears to be reflected in the female population, and the procedure has been performed most often at tertiary care teaching hospitals, where a comprehensive evaluation for all forms of therapy is arguably best able to target appropriate patients for appropriate therapies. With the recent application of VNS to target populations without epilepsy, such as patients with refractory depression, the trend of continued use of this treatment for epilepsy appears likely.
AB - Object. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) plays a significant role in the treatment of intractable epilepsy. The goal of this study was to analyze trends in the use of VNS for epilepsy in the US by using a nationwide database. Methods. Data for patients undergoing VNS were obtained from the nationwide inpatient sample for the years 1998-2005. Trends regarding number of procedures, length of stay (LOS), hospital charges, patient sex, and payer information were retrieved and analyzed. Results. The number of VNS procedures for epilepsy increased between 1998 and 2003 but decreased in the subsequent 2 years. The LOS and hospital charges showed yearly increases. Female patients underwent VNS implantation more than males did, and most procedures were performed in the 18- to 64-year-old age group. The combination of Medicare and Medicaid provided most of the funding for VNS from 2002 through 2005. The VNS procedures were performed mostly in teaching hospitals. Conclusions. Trends from a national database reveal consistent use of VNS for intractable epilepsy. Greater use of the procedure appears to be reflected in the female population, and the procedure has been performed most often at tertiary care teaching hospitals, where a comprehensive evaluation for all forms of therapy is arguably best able to target appropriate patients for appropriate therapies. With the recent application of VNS to target populations without epilepsy, such as patients with refractory depression, the trend of continued use of this treatment for epilepsy appears likely.
KW - Epilepsy surgery
KW - Intractable epilepsy
KW - Seizure disorder
KW - Vagus nerve stimulation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=56649097104&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=56649097104&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3171/FOC/2008/25/9/E10
DO - 10.3171/FOC/2008/25/9/E10
M3 - Article
C2 - 18759611
AN - SCOPUS:56649097104
VL - 25
JO - Neurosurgical Focus
JF - Neurosurgical Focus
SN - 1092-0684
IS - 3
M1 - E10
ER -