MP27-17 ANALYSIS OF THE HEALTH CARE COST AND UTILIZATION PROJECT (HCUP) SHOWS THAT THE TOTAL ANNUAL CHARGES AND COSTS FOR INPATIENT CARE OF PATIENTS WITH RADIATION CYSTITIS ARE RISING

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The number of cancer survivors in the United States (US) is rising exponentially, with important financial implications. Up to 40% of cancer survivors in the US have received pelvic radiation, putting this population at risk for long term side effects of radiation injury to the urinary bladder. Our hypothesis was that the costs and charges associated with care for this growing population is rising and used HCUP to characterize the impact of increased cancer survivor longevity on the finances associated with inpatient care for radiation cystitis. METHODS: With IRB approval, we queried the Healthcare Cost and Utilization project (HCUP) National Inpatient Sample (NIS) using ICD-9 codes for radiation cystitis (595.82). Data on demographics, admission, and charges were analyzed from 2000 to 2016. Data on costs were first reported in 2006, and thus analyzed from 2006 to 2016. Costs and charges were adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index. Trends over time were assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2016, admissions for radiation cystitis increased from 1.41 to 2.40 per 100,000 patients (p<0.01). The associated mean hospital charges per admission, adjusted for inflation, increased from $20886.14 in 2000 to $55943.01 in 2016 (p<0.001). Mean cost of the admission, adjusted for inflation, was stable at $12375.15 in 2006 and $14185.49 in 2016 (p=0.5). Total annual charges for radiation cystitis increased from $40,646,866.89 in 2000 to $213,422,488.1 in 2016 (p<0.001) while total annual costs increased from $31,853,966.06 in 2006 to $54,117,607.32 in 2016 (p=0.02, Figure 1), both adjusted for inflation. CONCLUSIONS: Admissions for radiation cystitis have increased from 2000 to 2016. While the costs associated with each individual admission have remained stable, the charges have increased. However, driven by the rise in number of admissions, the annual burden of cost to the healthcare system has increased significantly. Future efforts aimed at prevention, education, and treatment of radiation cystitis are needed in order to reduce the economic burden on expenditures for these cancer survivors.Source of Funding: None