PCN161 REAL-WORLD EVIDENCE ON ECONOMIC BURDEN OF MULTIPLE MYELOMA IN CHINA: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF CLAIMS DATA

Abstract

The development of novel agents for multiple myeloma (MM) was rapid in past decade but MM remains an incurable disease with an important shortening of life expectancy. Whereas the clinical burden of MM was recognized, studies assessing the economic burden of MM patients in China were limited. This study aims to estimate the all-cause direct medical costs and the cost composition of MM patients from disease onset to progression using real-world data. A retrospective cost-of-illness cohort study was conducted using reimbursement claims database of a tier 2 city in China. Newly diagnosed patients with at least one inpatient or two outpatient claims of MM between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2015 were followed until inpatient death or end of data. The date of the first MM diagnosis was set as index date. Patients were excluded if they had any claim for MM in the 12-month period prior to the index date. Healthcare resource utilization and costs per patient per year (PPPY) in the post index period were estimated. A total of 307 patients were included in the study (mean age: 65 years, 59% male). Of 270 treated patients, 48% received conventional chemotherapy, 42% received thalidomide-based regimens and only 10% received bortezomib-based regimens. Average total all-cause PPPY costs in the first year after diagnosis for 2012-2015 MM patients were RMB 57,867, RMB 66,968, RMB 56,904 and RMB 103,184 respectively. Anti-MM drug costs represented more than 60% of total all-cause costs PPPY. Analyses of real-world claims data showed that during 2012-2015, novel agents such as bortezomib has not been generally used for the treatment of MM in tier 2 cities in China. However, the direct-medical costs of MM patients were high. The study results suggested that before 2015, Chinese MM patients had limited treatment options and experienced a significant economic burden.