PDT Engagement Similar Across Socioeconomic Statuses for Patients With SUD

Patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) engaged with prescription digital therapeutics (PDTs) at similar rates regardless of socioeconomic status, according to findings published in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy.

“Substantial disparities exist in treatment for patients with [SUDs],” researchers said. “To date, no research has evaluated the relationship between socioeconomic indicators, patient engagement, and clinical outcomes in patients treated with PDTs.”

The investigators analyzed de-identified data from patients who were prescribed either reSET for SUD or reSET-O for opioid use disorder (OUD). Patients were included if they completed at least 1 lesson with the PDT over 12 weeks of treatment. 

Household income data were available for 4769 patients with OUD and 1044 patients with other SUDs, while percentage of federal poverty level data were available for 3962 patients with OUD and 747 patients with other SUDs. The number of days active and lessons completed in the PDT were used to determine patient engagement. Additionally, PDT retention was defined as “any activity in the PDT during weeks 9-12.”

Among patients treated for OUD, those with household incomes ≤$20,000 and between $20,000 and $40,000 had a median of 22 days active in the PDT, according to the findings. Those with incomes between $40,000 and $60,000 used the PDT a median of 16 days, and those with incomes exceeding $60,000 used the PDT a median of 17 days. 

The median number of lessons completed were:

• 27 for those with household incomes ≤$20,000; 
• 29 for those with household incomes between $20,000 and $40,000;
• 17 for those with household incomes between $40,000 and $60,000; and
• 18 for those with household incomes >$60,000.

For each respective income category, PDT retention was 75%, 76%, 71%, and 70%, while abstinence rates were 66%, 68%, 65%, and 67%, researchers reported.

Patients using the PDT for other SUDs showed similar rates of engagement, retention, and abstinence. Additionally, investigators found no significant differences when analyzing for percentage of the federal poverty line data.

“In an analysis of patients with SUDs, for whom socioeconomic barriers can impede recovery, the degree of engagement with PDTs and clinical outcomes were similar across multiple socioeconomic categories. Patients with lower socioeconomic status were able to use, engage with, and achieve outcomes comparable to patients in higher socioeconomic categories,” the researchers concluded.

The analysis was sponsored by Pear Therapeutics, Inc.

Reference:
Shapiro H, Velez F, Shah N, Shafai G, Sullivan M, Maricich Y. Utilization of prescription digital therapeutics for substance use disorders by patients with low-income. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2023;29(10-a suppl):S1-S137. https://www.jmcp.org/pb-assets/Poster%20Abstract%20Supplements/AMCP2023_PosterAbstractSupplement_0317-1679318682267.pdf