PB2223: COST OF ILLNESS, EPIDEMIOLOGY AND HEALTHCARE RESOURCE UTILIZATION FOR SICKLE CELL DISEASE IN THE GULF “CESGU”

Abstract

Background: Sickle cell disease SCD is the most predominant form of haemoglobinopathy worldwide. The disease presents challenges to healthcare systems, both in terms of patients’ morbidity, mortality and in terms of healthcare costs. In the middle east world, SCD is prevalent and patchy. As currently there are insufficient information published on the financial burden of SCD in the GCC region, there is a growing need to calculate the cost of the disease across the region. Aims: The aim of our study is to estimate the financial burden from payor’s perspective through calculation of direct-medical costs (DMC) of SCD in Oman (OMN), Bahrain (BHR) and United-Arab-Emirates (UAE). Methods: A prevalence-based probabilistic model was used to calculate the DMC associated with SDC within different treatment sites across the GCC region. Aggregate input was gathered from hospital record databases of adult SCD patients managed in year 2019. Data was captured on Microsoft© Excel. Additionally, Case Report Forms (CRFs) were filled. DMCs included treatment, hospitalization, consultations, diagnostics, interventions and costs related to managing SCD complications. Results: Aggregate data for 2,600 SCD patients in BHR, 2,000 in OMN and 350 in UAE were collected from hospital records data bases. The total DMC per patient per year was estimated at $15,300, $10,000 and $15,800 in BHR, OMN and UAE, respectively. The costs incurred by payers for “VOCs management” were identified as major cost driver including hospitalization and acute medications administered during managing the event, contributing to 63%, 39% and to a lesser extent 14% of the total DMC of SCD in UAE, BHR and OMN. A sub analysis of sever SCD patients with ≥5 VOC in a year revealed a significant burden across all sites, contributing to 89%, 75% and 45% of the total SCD burden in UAE, OMN and BHR sites, respectively. Summary/Conclusion: The financial burden of individuals affected by SCD in GCC region is on rise with highest burden in Bahrain, followed by UAE then Oman. Severe SCD patients with ≥5 VOCs represent a significant burden on payers. Shedding the light on the incurred costs by payers for SCD management can inform decision makers about efficient medical interventions that would help optimize the use of resources and secure access od SCD to better treatment options.