Burden of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in a U.S. commercially insured population.

Abstract

e18330 Background: AML accounts for 25% of acute leukemias in adults worldwide, with an estimated 5-year survival of 26% in the US. Up-to-date information on the clinical and economic burden of AML among US commercially insured patients (pts) is needed to inform reimbursement decisions. Methods: This retrospective study of the burden of AML in a US commercially insured population used the IMS PharMetrics Plus health insurance claims database. Adults with ≥1 claim with a diagnosis (Dx) of AML (ICD-9-CM 205.00, 205.01, or 205.02 or ICD-10-CM C92.00, C92.40, C92.50, C92.01, C92.41, C92.51, C92.02, C92.42, C92.52) during the study period (Jan 2008 through Dec 2015) were identified. To avoid rule-out diagnoses, pts with only 1 outpatient claim (or >1 claim on a single day) with a Dx of AML not in relapse or remission were excluded. Annual incidence and total and AML-related inpatient and outpatient healthcare costs per person year (PY) were calculated by age and gender. For cost analyses, pts with newly diagnosed AML were assessed. To ensure adequate claims history to identify all prevalent cases, prevalence was calculated for the last year of the study period. Results: 26,344 adults with AML were identified during the study period, which covered 228.3 million PY of enrollment. The incidence rate was 4.9 per 100,000 PY. Incidence was greatest in men and pts aged 60+ years. Prevalence was 12.2 per 100,000 persons. Among 11,170 newly diagnosed AML pts, total average costs were $352,138 per PY. 63% of costs were for AML-related care. 70% of AML-related costs were for inpatient care. Costs were greatest for men, pts aged 45-59 years, and during the first 6 months post-diagnosis. Conclusions: Although AML is relatively rare, its economic burden to US commercial insurers is substantial. [Table: see text]