Which factors preceding dementia identification impact future healthcare use trajectories: multilevel analyses in administrative data

Background Healthcare use patterns preceding a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Diseases (ADRD) may be associated with the quality of healthcare use trajectories (HUTs) after diagnosis. We aimed to identify determinants of future favorable HUTs, notably healthcare use preceding ADRD identification. Methods This nationwide retrospective observational study was conducted on subjects with incident ADRD identified in 2012 in the French health insurance database. We studied the 12-month healthcare use ranging between 18 and 6 months preceding ADRD identification. The five-year HUTs after ADRD identification were qualified by experts as favorable or not. In order to take into account geographical differences in healthcare supply, we performed mixed random effects multilevel multivariable logistic regression model to identify determinants of future favorable HUTs. Analyses were stratified by age group (65–74, 75–84, ≥ 85). Results Being a woman, and preventive and specialist care preceding ADRD identification increased the probability of future favorable HUT, whereas institutionalization, comorbidities, medical transportation and no reimbursed drug during [-18;-6] months decreased it. Besides, some specificities appeared according to age groups. Among the 65–74 years subjects, anxiolytic dispensing preceding ADRD identification decreased the probability of future favorable HUT. In the 75–84 years group, unplanned hospitalization and emergency room visit preceding ADRD identification decreased this probability. Among subjects aged 85 and older, short hospitalization preceding ADRD identification increased the probability of future favorable HUTs. Conclusion Regular healthcare use with preventive and specialist care preceding ADRD identification increased the probability of future favorable HUTs whereas dependency decreased it.