Anorexia in Medicare Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries: A Claims-Based Analysis of Epidemiology and Mortality

ObjectivesLoss of appetite in older adults can lead to malnutrition, weight loss, frailty, and death, but little is known about its epidemiology in the United States (US). The objective of this study was to estimate the annual prevalence and incidence of anorexia in older adults with Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) health insurance.DesignRetrospective and observational analysis of administrative health insurance claims data.SettingThis study included Medicare FFS claims from all settings (eg, hospital inpatient/outpatient, office, assisted living facility, skilled nursing facility, hospice, rehabilitation facility, home).ParticipantsThis study included all individuals aged 65 to 115 years old with continuous Medicare FFS medical coverage (Parts A and/or B) for at least one 12-month period from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2021 (ie, approximately 30 million individuals each year).InterventionNot applicable.MeasurementsAnorexia was identified using medical claims with the ICD-10 diagnosis code R63.0: Anorexia. This study compared individuals with anorexia to a control group without anorexia with respect to demographics, comorbidities using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Claims-based Frailty Index (CFI), and annual mortality. The annual prevalence and incidence of anorexia were estimated for each 12-month period from October 1, 2015, to September 30, 2021.ResultsThe number of individuals with anorexia ranged from 317,964 to 328,977 per year, a mean annual prevalence rate of 1.1%. The number of individuals newly diagnosed with anorexia ranged from 243,391 to 281,071 per year, a mean annual incidence rate of 0.9%. Individuals with anorexia had a mean (+/- standard deviation) age of 80.5 +/- 8.7 years (vs 74.9 +/- 7.5 years without anorexia; p<.001), 64.4% were female (vs 53.8%; p<.001), and 78.4% were White (vs 83.2%; p<.001). The most common CCI comorbidities for those with anorexia were chronic pulmonary disease (39.4%), dementia (38.3%), and peripheral vascular disease (38.0%). Median (interquartile range [IQR]) CCI with anorexia was 4 [5] (vs 1 [3] without anorexia; p<.001). The annual mortality rate among those with anorexia was 22.3% (vs 4.1% without anorexia; relative risk 5.49 [95% confidence interval, 5.45-5.53]).ConclusionApproximately 1% of all adults aged 65-115 years old with Medicare FFS insurance are diagnosed with anorexia each year based on ICD-10 codes reported in claims. These individuals have a higher comorbidity burden and an increased risk of annual mortality compared to those without a diagnosis of anorexia. Further analyses are needed to better understand the relationship between anorexia, comorbidities, frailty, mortality, and other health outcomes.

Automated summary

This study estimated the annual prevalence and incidence of anorexia in older adults with Medicare fee-for-service health insurance in the United States. The results showed that approximately 1% of adults aged 65-115 years old are diagnosed with anorexia each year, and they have a higher comorbidity burden and increased risk of annual mortality compared to those without a diagnosis of anorexia.