PRS14 Evolution of Direct Medical Costs Associated with Respiratory Syncytial VIRUS Disease in Infants: A Retrospective Database Analysis from 2008 to 2017

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) may cause lower respiratory tract infection. This study describes the evolution of diagnosed RSV-related direct medical costs (DMCs) in children ≤2 years of age between seasons 2008 and 2017 in the United States (US). A retrospective health care claims database analysis was performed using data from the Truven Health MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters (CCAE) and Multi-State Medicaid (MSM) databases. DMCs for RSV events in 0-5, 6-11, 12-23-month-old children were defined as fees for medical services for which RSV diagnosis (via International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth revision codes) was mentioned in the reimbursement claims. The total DMCs of RSV for this population in the US was estimated by aggregation of these costs using RSV hospitalization incidence data from the literature, census data and health insurance coverage data. Even after accounting for inflation, RSV-associated costs for hospitalization increased for the three age groups between 2008 and 2017: between +72% and +170% in the CCAE, and between +8% and +131% in the MSM databases. This resulted in overall costs increase from 602 to 1,002 Million dollars (M$) or from 1,167 to 1,971 M$ depending on incidence estimates chosen. RSV-related DCMs have increased between 2008 and 2017 and are likely to continue to constitute a substantial burden in the future because of the increasing hospitalization costs in the US. The availability of maternal and/or pediatric RSV vaccines might potentially reduce these costs.