Trends in Internal Medicine
Open AccessImpact of Demographic Factors and Prescribed Medications on Outpatient Visits Due to Alzheimer's Disease: A Retrospective Database Study
Authors: Lejla Cukovic, Omar Rahman, Ateequr Rahman.
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that places substantial burdens on patients, caregivers, and healthcare systems. Understanding how demographic variables influence outpatient healthcare utilization is critical for improving access, treatment planning, and equity in care delivery. The aim of this study was to determine whether outpatient visits due to Alzheimer's disease are affected by demographics such as race, gender, geographic location, and the types of medications prescribed using a retrospective database approach. Secondary objectives included identifying patterns in prescribing practices and evaluating whether disparities exist across subpopulations. A retrospective observational study design was proposed using de-identified healthcare claims or electronic health record data. Variables included visit frequency, patient demographics, medication classes, and regional characteristics. Descriptive statistics, chisquare tests, t-tests. The study found that the instances of Alzheimer’s disease vary significantly by patient characteristics, location, and comorbidities. The type of medications prescribed to manage Alzheimer’s disease and comorbidity varied significantly by patient race. Findings suggest that outpatient visits may vary by race, sex, and region, with medication type potentially associated with differences in follow-up frequency. These findings may inform targeted interventions to reduce disparities and optimize management of Alzheimer's disease.
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