P-086 - Retrospective Claims Analysis of Decreased Healthcare Visits and Costs with Lidocaine Topical System 1.8% Compared to Lidocaine 5% Patch

Abstract Title: Retrospective Claims Analysis of Decreased Healthcare Visits and Costs with Lidocaine Topical System 1.8% Compared to Lidocaine 5% Patch


Background: Lidocaine topical system 1.8% (LTS) is bioequivalent to lidocaine 5% patch (LP)¹ but has significantly better adhesion², which can improve medication delivery and pain relief.

Purpose/Objectives: We evaluated the healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) of LTS and LP in post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), peripheral neuropathy (PN), and lower back pain (LBP) patients in claims.

Methods: Retrospective study using Symphony Health administrative claims. Claims (4/1/18-8/31/22) of adults with PHN, PN, or LBP with at least 6 months’ pre/post-index (first LTS or LP prescription) enrollment were analyzed. For LTS and LP groups, pre- versus post-index all-cause outpatient, office, and ER visits; pain procedures; and costs (median charged amount per patient) were compared, using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test within cohorts, and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test across cohorts.


Results: 55,106 patients had LP and 955 had LTS index therapy. From pre- to post-index time periods, average number of office visits, ER visits, and pain procedures (PP) decreased for LTS vs increased for LP (Office: -4% LTS vs 11% LP, p=­­ < 0.01; ER: -12% LTS vs 12% LP; PP: -9% LTS vs 20% LP, p=­ < 0.01). As well, healthcare costs decreased for LTS vs increased for LP for outpatient (-9% LTS vs 8% LP) and ER visits (-5% LTS, 9% LP, p=­ 0.02).

Conclusions/Implications for future research and/or clinical care: In these data of neuropathic pain patients, HCRU and associated costs decreased for LTS patients, and increased for LP patients, after starting either therapy. This may be due to better adhesion, and subsequently improved pain management, with LTS compared to LP.


References: < 1Gudin, Jeffrey et al. “A Randomized, Open-Label, Bioequivalence Study of Lidocaine Topical System 1.8% and Lidocaine Patch 5% in Healthy Subjects.” Journal of pain research vol. 13 1485-1496. 22 Jun. 2020, doi:10.2147/JPR.S237934

2.Gudin, Jeffrey et al. “Open-Label Adhesion Performance Studies of a New Lidocaine Topical System 1.8% versus Lidocaine Patches 5% and Lidocaine Medicated Plaster 5% in Healthy Subjects.” Journal of pain research vol. 14 513-526. 23 Feb. 2021, doi:10.2147/JPR.S287153.