Cost Of Illness In Patients Research Articles

Cost of Illness in Patients With COVID-19 Admitted in Three Brazilian Public Hospitals

ObjectivesThe severity and transmissibility of COVID-19 justifies the need to identify the factors associated with its cost of illness (CoI). This study aimed to identify CoI, cost predictors, and cost drivers in the management of patients with COVID-19 from hospital and Brazil’s Public Health System (SUS) perspectives. MethodsThis is a multicenter study that evaluated the CoI in patients diagnosed of COVID-19 who reached hospital discharge or died before being discharged between March and September 2020. Sociodemographic, clinical, and hospitalization data were collected to characterize and identify predictors of costs per patients and cost drivers per admission. ResultsA total of 1084 patients were included in the study. For hospital perspective, being overweight or obese, being between 65 and 74 years old, or being male showed an increased cost of 58.4%, 42.9%, and 42.5%, respectively. From SUS perspective, the same predictors of cost per patient increase were identified. The median cost per admission was estimated at US$359.78 and US$1385.80 for the SUS and hospital perspectives, respectively. In addition, patients who stayed between 1 and 4 days in the intensive care unit (ICU) had 60.9% higher costs than non-ICU patients; these costs significantly increased with the length of stay (LoS). The main cost driver was the ICU-LoS and COVID-19 ICU daily for hospital and SUS perspectives, respectively. ConclusionsThe predictors of increased cost per patient at admission identified were overweight or obesity, advanced age, and male sex, and the main cost driver identified was the ICU-LoS. Time-driven activity-based costing studies, considering outpatient, inpatient, and long COVID-19, are needed to optimize our understanding about cost of COVID-19.

Cost of illness in patients with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome in Belgium.

A proportion of patients with Lyme borreliosis (LB) report long-term persisting signs and symptoms, even after recommended antibiotic treatment, which is termed post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). Consensus on guidance regarding diagnosis and treatment is currently lacking. Consequently, patients suffer and are left searching for answers, negatively impacting their quality of life and healthcare expenditure. Yet, health economic data on PTLDS remain scarce. The aim of this article is therefore to assess the cost-of-illness related to PTLDS, including the patient perspective. PTLDS patients (N = 187) with confirmed diagnosis of LB were recruited by a patient organization. Patients completed a self-reported questionnaire on LB-related healthcare utilization, absence from work and unemployment. Unit costs (reference year 2018) were obtained from national databases and published literature. Mean costs and uncertainty intervals were calculated via bootstrapping. Data were extrapolated to the Belgian population. Generalized linear models were used to determine associated covariates with total direct costs and out-of-pocket expenditures. Mean annual direct costs amounted to €4618 (95% CI €4070-5152), of which 49.5% were out-of-pocket expenditures. Mean annual indirect costs amounted to €36081 (€31312-40923). Direct and indirect costs at the population level were estimated at €19.4 and 151.5 million, respectively. A sickness or disability benefit as source of income was associated with higher direct and out-of-pocket costs. The economic burden associated with PTLDS on patients and society is substantial, with patients consuming large amounts of non-reimbursed healthcare resources. Guidance on adequate diagnosis and treatment of PTLDS is needed.

Quality of Life and Cost of Illness in Patients with Hand Dermatitis: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The high incidence, severity, and chronicity of hand dermatitis can lead to a massive impact on the Quality of Life (QoL). Despite its medical and socioeconomic importance, there is a paucity of data that addresses the cost-of-illness, economic factors, and its effect on the QoL in patients with hand dermatitis. Aim: To estimate the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and cost-of-illness in patients with hand dermatitis. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Outpatient Department (OPD) of Dermatology at RL Jalappa Hospital and Research Centre, Kolar, Karnataka, India. The duration of the study was four months, from September 2022 to December 2022. A total of 82 subjects with the skin condition of hand dermatitis. The QoL (DLQI questionnaire) and cost-of-illness were estimated. The economic burden of hand dermatitis was measured by its direct and indirect costs. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 and the comparison was done using t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 39.76±13.30 years. Eczema was the most common hand dermatitis, seen in 47 (57.3%) patients followed by psoriasis. A total of 82 patients (34 males and 48 females). The average total cost of the illness was Indian Rupee (INR) 5725.29 per individual among all patients, with indirect costs catering to 63.75% of total costs. The average total cost of the illness was INR 6105.03 and INR 5456.31 per individual among male and female patients, with indirect costs (INR 3976.76) catering to 65.14% in males and (INR 3418.75) catering to 62.66% of total costs among females. DLQI revealed social embarrassment had a very much impact seen in 36 participants (43%) followed by disturbances in social and leisure activities seen in 23 participants (28%). Conclusion: Hand dermatitis is distressing to the patient, which can lead to poor QoL. Cost of illness studies shed light on elements, that contribute to high expenses associated with this frequently devastating condition, aiding in its treatment or prevention.

Cost of Illness, Quality of Life, and Work Productivity in Axial Spondyloarthritis Patients Receiving Biological Treatments in Greece.

To estimate the cost of illness, quality of life and work productivity in patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis (Axial SpA) under biological treatment in Greece. We conducted a prospective study of 12-month duration, of patients with Axial SpA from a tertiary hospital in Greece. Adult patients fulfilling the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria were enrolled at the beginning of biological treatment due to active disease [Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) >4] and failure of first line treatment. All participants completed questionnaires about quality of life, financial costs and work productivity at the same time with the disease activity assessment. 74 patients of whom 57 (77%) with a paid job, were included in the study. The total annual cost for Axial SpA patients is € 9,012.40 while the average cost of acquisition and administration of the drugs is € 8,364. The mean BASDAI in the 52 weeks of follow-up, was decreased from 5.74 to 3.2 and the mean Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) also from 1.13 to 0.75. Work productivity of these patients as measured with the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI), was significantly impaired at the baseline and improved after the initiation of biological treatment. The cost of illness in patients receiving biological treatments in Greece is high. However, these treatments except from the well-established positive effect on disease activity, can improve remarkably the work productivity and quality of life of Axial SpA patients.

Trends in resource utilization and cost of illness in patients with active epilepsy in Germany from 2003 to 2020.

This study was undertaken to calculate epilepsy-related direct, indirect, and total costs in adult patients with active epilepsy (ongoing unprovoked seizures) in Germany and to analyze cost components and dynamics compared to previous studies from 2003, 2008, and 2013. This analysis was part of the Epi2020study. Direct and indirect costs related to epilepsy were calculated with a multicenter survey using an established and validated questionnaire with a bottom-up design and human capital approach over a 3-month period in late 2020. Epilepsy-specific costs in the German health care sector from 2003, 2008, and 2013 were corrected for inflation to allow for a valid comparison. Data on the disease-specific costs for 253 patients in 2020 were analyzed. The mean total costs were calculated at €5551 (±€5805, median = €2611, range = €274-€21667) per 3months, comprising mean direct costs of €1861 (±€1905, median = €1276, range = €327-€13158) and mean indirect costs of €3690 (±€5298, median = €0, range = €0-€11925). The main direct cost components were hospitalization (42.4%), antiseizure medication (42.2%), and outpatient care (6.2%). Productivity losses due to early retirement (53.6%), part-time work or unemployment (30.8%), and seizure-related off-days (15.6%) were the main reasons for indirect costs. However, compared to 2013, there was no significant increase of direct costs (-10.0%), and indirect costs significantly increased (p<.028, +35.1%), resulting in a significant increase in total epilepsy-related costs (p<.047, +20.2%). Compared to the 2013study population, a significant increase of cost of illness could be observed (p=.047). The present study shows that disease-related costs in adult patients with active epilepsy increased from 2013 to 2020. As direct costs have remained constant, this increase is attributable to an increase in indirect costs. These findings highlight the impact of productivity loss caused by early retirement, unemployment, working time reduction, and seizure-related days off.

Cost of Illness in Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in Portugal: The COIDUCH Study.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to estimate the cost of illness (COI) of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and its relation to disease progression, using age as a proxy, and according to the ambulatory status of patients.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study of patients diagnosed with DMD identified through the Portuguese Neuromuscular Patients Association (APN). Data regarding patient and caregiver demographics, patient health status, resource utilization and cost, and informal care were collected using a custom semistructured questionnaire. Labor productivity and absenteeism losses were captured using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire. Costs were valued using a societal perspective.ResultsA total of 46 patient–caregiver pairs were included, of which eight of the patients were ambulant and 38 were nonambulant. Age had a decreasing effect on COI, independent of the patient’s disease stage. Annualized lifetime costs were at their highest in nonambulant patients around the mean age of loss of ambulation (10 years of age). The mean per patient stage-specific costs (year 2019 values) of DMD were estimated at €48,991 in the nonambulant stage and €19,993 in the ambulant stage. Direct nonmedical costs were the main cost drivers, followed by indirect costs.ConclusionsOur results indicate a close relation between overall disease costs and disease progression. DMD is associated with a substantial economic burden, which appears to be larger around the time ambulation is lost (10 years of age). The availability of new therapeutic options that delay disease progression, especially loss of ambulation, may prove to be highly beneficial for not only patients with DMD but also their families and society.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41669-021-00303-5.

Economic Burden of Tuberculosis Diabetes Co-Morbidity in Tuberculosis Patients Attending Two Chest Clinics in Lagos State

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) increases the risk of developing tuberculosis (TB) three-fold. The cost of accessing care for TB-DM co-morbidity poses a significant burden on patients, as they bear both direct and indirect costs of treatment, mostly of out-of-pocket.Objective: To estimate the direct medical cost of illness in patients with TB-DM co-morbidity in two chest clinics in Lagos State.Materials and Methods: An observational study, carried out in two chest clinics in Lagos State to evaluate direct medical costs associated with TBDM co-morbidity during TB treatment. A semi structured questionnaire, pharmacy price list of drugs and an online transportation service lara.ng was employed to document and quantify prescribed medications, laboratory investigations, number of clinic attendance and attendant transportation costs.Results: Among the participants, 53.8% were females. The mean age was 50.7±9.7 years. The total direct medical and non-medical costs for TBDM management was NGN8,604,819 (USD24,585.20) for the duration of TB treatment. Average cost per patient (CPP) was NGN179,384.85 (USD512.53). This was equivalent to 49.8% of the current national minimum wage. Male patients incurred more mean direct medical cost than female patients (NGN26, 647.90 vs NGN24, 020.40), while female patients incurred more mean direct non-medical costs than the males (NGN22, 314.30 versus NGN13, 041.70). Patients aged 60 years and above incurred the highest mean direct costs compared to other age groups.Conclusion: Direct medical costs are substantial in TBDM co-morbidity and increase with age.

Cost of the Illness of Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia

Abstract Purpose/Background This study aimed to evaluate and compare the cost of illness in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) during 3 months before starting clozapine and for the initial 3 months of treatment with clozapine. Methods/Procedures Fifty-two patients with TRS were evaluated for the cost of illness (direct, indirect, and provider cost) by using a structured questionnaire for the period of 3 months before starting clozapine and then at the end of the 3 months of clozapine therapy. Findings/Results Total treatment cost for the period of 3 months before starting clozapine was Indian rupees (INR) 40,372 (560.72 US dollars), and the total treatment cost for the first 3 months of clozapine therapy was INR 40,553 (563.23 US dollars). At both the assessments, indirect cost formed the main bulk of the total cost, with no significant difference in the indirect cost. The total direct treatment cost reduced from INR 13,931.6 (193.49 US dollars) to INR 8756 (121.61 US dollars), and the difference between the 2 assessments was statistically significant, with an advantage for clozapine. Overall, after starting clozapine, the total direct cost reduced from 34.5% to 21.6%, and the total indirect cost reduced from 54.3% to 40.2%. After starting clozapine, total provider cost increased from 11.2% to 38.2% of the totalcost. Implications/Conclusions Treatment with clozapine is not associated with a significant increase in the overall treatment cost, in the short term. However, there is a significant reduction in direct treatment costs.

PRO28 Epidemiology and Cost of Illness for Patients Suffering from Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO): First Evidence Based on the Analysis of an Italian Region’S Administrative Databases

PRO28 Epidemiology and Cost of Illness for Patients Suffering from Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO): First Evidence Based on the Analysis of an Italian Region’S Administrative Databases

AB0521 COST OF ILLNESS OF ANCA-ASSOCIATED VASCULITIS IN ITALY: DATA LINKAGE ANALYSIS OF MULTIPLE CLINICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DATABASES IN THE PROVINCE OF UDINE, ITALY

Background:ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV) are a group of systemic vasculitis carrying a high risk of hospitalization because the multiorgan involvement, the acute nature of some clinical manifestations, the chronic but very disabling course of some other manifestations and finally the risk of severe infections due to chronic glucocorticoid and immunosuppressor administration. However, data on cost of illness due to AAV are lacking.Objectives:to estimate the cost of illness in patients suffering from AAV in the province of Udine (about 500,000 inhabitants), Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG), Italy, from year 2010 to 2018.Methods:integration of the information coming from many administrative databases were used to this end. The Regional Health Information System of FVG was used as the source of information for this retrospective cohort study. The system covers the entire regional population and includes various electronic health administrative databases that can be linked with one another on an individual basis through a unique encrypted identifier. In particular, the following databases were matched: the database of the health care beneficiaries (including demographic information and the residential history of all of the subjects living in FVG), the hospital discharge database, the database of exemptions from medical charges, the database of the laboratories. The population under study was selected based on the following inclusion criteria: patients were residents in the province of Udine and they had to carry the exemption code for AAV, including GPA, or EGPA, or MPA. This population was observed from 2010 to 2018.Results:57 patients (201 patient-years) with AAV were identified. They were ANCA-positive in 44/57 (77%). GPA, EGPA and MPA was diagnosed in 18 (31,6%), 15 (26,3%), 11 (19,3%) patients, respectively. The mean age at diagnosis was 54,5 (17,5) years. The disease itself was the main cause of hospitalization in almost half of the hospital discharges (60/126, 47,6%). Four patients died during the observation period due to vasculitis itself (1), pneumonia (2), or haematological malignancy (1). Time to the first event (death or hospitalization) was significantly higher in ANCA-negative AAV patients than in ANCA-positive AAV patients (p=0,03, Log-Rank test), ANCA-positive AAV patients having a three-times higher risk (HR 3,38 95%CI 1,13-10,08, p=0,03). Total estimated cost was € 1,215,078, corresponding to € 6,168 patient-year. Costs for ANCA-positive AAV patients were much higher than those for ANCA-negative AAV patients (€ 1,115,253 vs € 99,825, and € 7058 per person-year vs € 2,559 per person-year, respectively). GPA and MPA showed the highest costs if compared to EGPA [GPA: € 239,168 (€ 5199 per person-year) vs MPA: € 281,502 (€ 4771 per person-year) vs EGPA: € 214,287 (2329 per person-year), respectively]. Costs for hospitalization were the highest [€ 734,957 (€ 3731 per person-year) vs other costs € 480,121 (€ 2437 per person-year)].Conclusion:costs for AAV are very high, confirming the high health care burden of this illness. Management of ANCA-positive patients rather than ANCA-negative patients was burdened by the highest costs. GPA and MPA showed the highest direct costs for hospitalization, which very frequently occurred due to the vasculitis itself.Disclosure of Interests:Luca Quartuccio Consultant of: Abbvie, Bristol, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Pfizer, Elena Treppo: None declared, Salvatore De Vita Consultant of: Roche, GSK, Speakers bureau: Roche, GSK, Novartis, Francesca Valent: None declared

A cross-sectional study to analyze the clinical subtype, contact sensitization and impact of disease severity on quality of life and cost of illness in patients of hand eczema.

The high incidence, chronicity, frequent recurrences and severity of hand eczema leads to a massive impact on the quality of life. Despite great medical and socioeconomic importance, there is a paucity of data that addresses the cost of illness and economic factors associated with hand eczema. Most of the studies have originated from Europe and none have been reported from India. To analyze the clinical subtype, the pattern of contact sensitization and the impact of severity of disease on the quality of life and cost of illness in patients of hand eczema. Hundred patients of hand eczema were recruited and evaluated for morphological patterns of the condition, hand eczema severity index and quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index questionnaire). All patients were subjected to patch tests with Indian standard series, cosmetic series and personal or work-related products. The economic burden of hand eczema was measured by both its direct and indirect costs. Morphologically, chronic dry fissured eczema 36 (36%) was the most common pattern followed by mixed type 19 (19%), hyperkeratotic palmar eczema 15 (15%), vesicular eczema with recurrent eruption 9 (9%), nummular eczema 7 (7%) and wear and tear dermatitis 7 (7%). Seventy nine patients gave positive patch test results. Etiological profile of the most common allergens, as established with a patch test, include potassium dichromate 18 (18%) followed by cetrimonium bromide 17 (17%), nickel 16 (16%), gallate 14 (14%), garlic 9 (9%) and patient's own product 8 (8%). Allergic contact dermatitis was the most common clinical pattern of hand eczema seen in 45 (45%) patients, followed by an irritant 14 (14%) and a combination of both 13 (13%). The average total cost of illness was INR 13,783.41 (0-93,000) per individual per year with an average direct cost of INR 2,746.25 ± 1,900 and indirect cost of INR 4911.73 ± 13237.72, along with a positive correlation with the Dermatology Life Quality Index (P = 0.00). The hand eczema severity index was marginally correlated with direct costs (P = 0.07) and highly correlated with indirect costs (P = 0.024). Hand eczema has a huge impact on the quality of life and economic consequences. In our study, parameters like Dermatology Life Quality Index and hand eczema severity index could have been affected by the chronicity of disease as being a tertiary referral centre, most of the recruited patients had severe and persistent hand eczema at the time of visit. Also, cost of illness was based on retrospective calculations on recall basis.

Systematic Literature Review of the Economic Burden and Cost of Illness in Patients with Myelofibrosis

Introduction: Myelofibrosis (MF) is a rare bone marrow cancer classified as a myeloproliferative neoplasm in which bone marrow is replaced by fibrous (scar) tissue, impairing the production of normal blood cells. MF has a global incidence of approximately 0.58 new cases per 100,000 person-years, with many patients experiencing short survival (approximately 6 years). Most patients with MF are found to have either intermediate-2 or high-risk MF, as per their prognostic score (International Prognostic Scoring System [IPSS] or Dynamic IPSS). The economic impact of MF has been studied in individual real-world settings, each of which may have limited generalizability; however, the holistic economic burden of MF is not well understood. The objective of this systematic literature review (SLR) was to describe economic evidence for patients with MF including cost and resource use data. Methods: A SLR was conducted in Embase®, MEDLINE®, the National Health Service Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED), and the American Economic Association (AEA) EconLit® to identify evidence published from database inception to July 2018. Conference proceedings and bibliographies were also searched. Studies were included if they were published in the English language and reported economic burden associated with adult patients with MF. The evidence was not restricted by any country or time limits. Two reviewers assessed each citation against predefined eligibility criteria, with discrepancies reconciled by a third independent reviewer. All the extracted data were quality checked by a second independent reviewer. A descriptive qualitative analysis was conducted to identify the patterns of economic burden in MF across different countries. Results: A total of 771 potentially relevant abstracts were identified and screened, of which 23 studies were included in the final analysis. Eleven studies reported cost data only, 10 studies reported both cost and resource use data, and 2 studies reported on the budget impact of treatment for MF. Eight of the included studies were conducted in the USA, 2 each in the UK, Canada, and Ireland, and the remaining 9 reported data from other countries. Eight of the included studies reported total MF costs, 4 studies reported productivity losses related to employment, and 3 studies reported indirect costs related to productivity and informal care. The remaining studies reported cost-effectiveness data for the treatment of MF. Of the 5 studies that reported categorical costs, 3 reported that outpatient costs were the major driver of costs, followed by inpatient costs. Among the studies conducted in the USA, total medical healthcare costs associated with MF ranged from USD 21,000 to USD 66,000 per patient. Three European studies reported that the annual productivity losses per patient ranged from EUR 7,774 to EUR 11,000, with total annual productivity losses as high as EUR 217,975. Two US studies compared the total MF-related healthcare costs with age- and sex-matched controls; costs were significantly higher in the MF cohort compared with matched controls (P &lt; 0.05), especially for inpatient costs, outpatient costs, and pharmacy costs (Figure). Four studies, with a majority of the MF patients aged &gt; 50 years, reported that 20-60% of the patients were absent from work, with a mean of 6.2 hours of work missed in the past 7 days. Among the hospitalized patients, 3 studies reported that the median length of stay for patients with MF ranged from 2.5 to 6.6 days, with 46% of patients utilizing emergency room visits and services. Conclusions: MF is associated with significant economic burden and work productivity loss to the health system, patients, and their families. Sustained efforts to develop more effective treatments are required in order to reduce the economic burden associated with MF and help patients and physicians improve disease management. Disclosures Tang: Celgene Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Taneja:BresMed Health Solutions Ltd: Employment. Rajora:BresMed Health Solutions Ltd: Employment. Patel:BresMed: Employment.

Zika autoimmunity and Guillain–Barré syndrome

To summarize the recent data regarding Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) as an autoimmune disorder following infection with Zika virus (ZIKV) infection, including the proposed pathogenic mechanisms and the role of autoantibodies. The loss of self-tolerance that leads to autoimmune diseases is a multifactorial process that may be illustrated as 'the mosaic of autoimmunity'. Infectious agents may contribute to the development of autoimmunity by several proposed mechanisms. One of the central mechanisms is molecular mimicry, which is also the most plausible mechanism in the case of ZIKV-induced autoimmune disorders.A recent meta-analysis found a low prevalence of GBS associated with ZIKV infection. Nevertheless, the estimated cost of illness for patients with GBS associated with ZIKV are tremendous and exceed 4.7 million dollars per year in Brazil alone. Currently, there is sufficient data to indicate that ZIKV infection is one of many triggers and factors that may contribute to the development GBS. Thus, it is advised to evaluate and determine ZIKV exposure and infection in the management of potential GBS patients.

Smoking Status and Cost of Illness in Patients with Depressive Disorder Based on the National Health Survey in Spain

Background: Twenty-one percent of subjects with depressive disorder (DD) smoke. This prevalence is expected to be related to healthcare resources utilization (HRU) and sick leave, thereby accounting for substantial costs to the National Health System (NHS) and to society that still need to be characterized. The objective was to estimate cost of illness in patients with DD according to their smoking status. Methods: We used the 2011/2012 National Health Survey to document HRU and lost-workday equivalents (LWDE). Men and women 18+ years old with a DD self-reported to a physician in the past 12 months were categorized into: smokers (daily smokers), former smokers, and never smokers. HRU and LWDE were computed on an annualized basis. Multivariate general linear models adjusted for sex, age, and comorbidities were applied. Results: Data from 1,816 subjects (381 smokers, 290 former smokers, and 1,145 never smokers) were analyzed. Smokers had higher total per patient annual costs (thousands, €3.14), and higher annual healthcare costs (€2.53) than former smokers (€2.35, p < .1; and €1.93, p < .05) and never smokers (€2.42, p < .05; and €2.06, p < .1): with excess costs of €0.79 and €0.72 for total annual costs and €0.60 and €0.47 for annual healthcare costs (p = .029 and p = .056, respectively). Conclusions: Smoking DD subjects were associated with higher HRU and costs from both the societal and healthcare perspectives, when compared with former and never smokers in the Spanish general population. Supporting people with DD to quit smoking might therefore be a value-for-money health policy in Spain.

Cost of illness in patients with multiple myeloma in Italy: the CoMiM study.

Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematological cancer. Although it accounts for only a relatively small percentage of all cancer types, the costs associated with managing multiple myeloma are considerable. Available studies are mainly focused on health care costs. The Costo del Mieloma Multiplo (Cost of MM, CoMiM) study investigated the cost of illness of multiple myeloma in Italy during one year of disease management. CoMiM is a retrospective, prevalence-based, multi-center, cross-sectional study based on a stratified sample of patients seen during normal clinical practice (asymptomatic; symptomatic on drugs; symptomatic receiving autologous stem cell transplantation; plateau/remission). Demographics, clinical history, health care and non-health care resource consumption data were collected. Costs were evaluated from the societal viewpoint and expressed in Euro 2008. Data on 236 patients were analyzed (39 asymptomatic, 17%; 29 symptomatic receiving autologous stem-cell transplantation, 12%; 105 symptomatic receiving drugs, 44%; 63 plateau/remission, 27%). The total cost of illness reached € 19,267.1 ± 25,078.6 (asymptomatic, € 959.3 ± 1091.6; symptomatic receiving drugs, € 21,707.8 ± 21,785.3; symptomatic receiving autologous stem-cell transplantation, € 59,243.7 ± 24,214.0; plateau/remission, € 8130.7 ± 15,092.5). The main cost drivers of total cost of illness were drugs and hospital admissions (46.1% and 29.4%, respectively). Antineoplastics and immunomodulators drove the cost of drugs (21.6% and 21.1% of the total cost of illness). Cost of antineoplastics was led by bortezomib (97.4%), whereas the cost driver for immunomodulators was lenalidomide (99.4%). Cost of hospitalization funded by the Italian National Health Service was strongly influenced by transplantation (94.6%), whereas chemotherapy and skeletal fractures did not exceed 1% and 2%, respectively. Despite some limitations, the CoMiM study provides Italian health care decision-makers with an insight into the stratified cost of illness of multiple myeloma patients.

Estimating the Cost of Illness of Giant Cell Arteritis in the United States.

IntroductionGiant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic vasculitis affecting approximately 230,000 Americans. Limited data exist on the healthcare resource utilization and costs attributable to GCA. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost of illness in patients with GCA in the US.MethodsA cohort of patients with a new GCA diagnosis was identified from a large US claims database between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2012. Newly diagnosed GCA patients were defined by two claims with GCA (ICD-9 446.5) as one of the listed diagnoses during the study period and no GCA diagnosis in the 12 months prior. Subjects without a GCA diagnosis were matched 5:1 to cases. One-year healthcare costs were compared among cases and controls, adjusting for covariates using generalized linear models.ResultsA cohort of 1293 GCA patients and 6465 controls was identified. The mean age was 73 years, and 69% were females. Mean Charlson Comorbidity Index was 1.9 for GCA patients and 1.0 for controls. Mean 1-year cost for GCA patients was $34,065 [standard deviation (SD) $52,411], and mean 1-year cost for controls was $12,890 (SD $37,345). After multivariate adjustment, the difference in 1-year cost between GCA patients and controls was $16,431 (95% CI $13,821–$19,041).ConclusionsPatients with GCA experience substantially higher healthcare costs in the first year following diagnosis compared to patients without GCA. These results add to the limited evidence available to inform researchers, clinicians, and policymakers on the cost burden of GCA in the US.FundingGenentech Inc.

Reaching Therapeutic Goals Impacts on Estimated Cost of Illness for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Poland

Objective: To estimate savings for public payer and for society generated by reduction of diabetes mellitus complications through maintaining therapeutic goals set by Polish Diabetes Association (PDA). Methods: Diabetes progress in lifetime horizon was simulated in a Polish cohort of newly diagnosed adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) using the IMS Core Diabetes Model. The natural course of disease (Uncontrolled patients) was compared to situation where patients meet therapeutic goals in the first year and keep it in following years (Controlled patients). Direct medical costs from public payer and patients perspective were complemented with indirect costs estimated using friction costs approach (FCA) and human capital approach (HCA). Results: Mean life expectancy was higher for the Controlled vs Uncontrolled patients (11.3 vs 10.7 LYs). The average QALY was also higher for Controlled vs Uncontrolled patients (8.33 vs 7.87 QALYs). Uncontrolled patients generated during lifetime total costs respectively 2053 PLN, 2826 PLN and 4417 PLN higher than Controlled patients, depending whether direct costs only or direct costs and indirect costs (FCA or HCA) were considered. Adopting the estimated mean annual savings per patient to 1.1 million of Polish patients with uncontrolled T2DM (HbA1c&gt;7%) would result in 192 million PLN of total annual savings, if only direct costs were considered and 264 or 412 million PLN, if indirect costs (FCA or HCA) were also included. Conclusion: Maintaining therapeutic goals in T2DM results in higher life expectancy and, through reduction of T2DM complications, reduces both direct and indirect costs per T2DM patient.

Cost-of-Illness and Quality of Life in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis at a Tertiary Hospital in Korea

The objectives of this study were to estimate the cost-of-illness (COI) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Korea and to evaluate the effects of socio-demographic and clinical factors on the COI and the HRQOL. Face-to-face interview surveys were taken from patients with AS at the Rheumatology Clinic of Seoul National University Hospital. Direct medical and non-medical costs, indirect costs (productivity loss due to job loss and sick leave), and deterioration of HRQOL in patients with AS were measured. Factors associated with COI and HRQOL were analyzed with multiple regression and multivariate logistic regression. A total of 191 patients with AS was enrolled in the study. The COI in patients with AS amounted to 11,646,180 Korean Won (KRW) per patient, and their HRQOL was 0.62. As functional severity worsened, the total costs increased (class I, KRW 7.7 million; class II, KRW 12.9 million; classes III & IV, KRW 25.2 million) and the HRQOL scores decreased (class I, 0.72; class II, 0.61; classes III & IV, 0.24). Functional severity is the major determinant of the COI and HRQOL in patients with AS.

Cost of Illness in Patients with Multiple Myeloma in Italy: The CoMiM Study

Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematological cancer. Although it accounts for only a relatively small percentage of all cancer types, the costs associated with managing multiple myeloma are considerable. Available studies are mainly focused on health care costs. The Costo del Mieloma Multiplo (Cost of MM, CoMiM) study investigated the cost of illness of multiple myeloma in Italy during one year of disease management. CoMiM is a retrospective, prevalence-based, multi-center, cross-sectional study based on a stratified sample of patients seen during normal clinical practice (asymptomatic; symptomatic on drugs; symptomatic receiving autologous stem cell transplantation; plateau/remission). Demographics, clinical history, health care and non-health care resource consumption data were collected. Costs were evaluated from the societal viewpoint and expressed in Euro 2008. Data on 236 patients were analyzed (39 asymptomatic, 17%; 29 symptomatic receiving autologous stem-cell transplantation, 12%; 105 symptomatic receiving drugs, 44%; 63 plateau/remission, 27%). The total cost of illness reached € 19,267.1 ± 25,078.6 (asymptomatic, € 959.3 ± 1091.6; symptomatic receiving drugs, € 21,707.8 ± 21,785.3; symptomatic receiving autologous stem-cell transplantation, € 59,243.7 ± 24,214.0; plateau/remission, € 8130.7 ± 15,092.5). The main cost drivers of total cost of illness were drugs and hospital admissions (46.1% and 29.4%, respectively). Antineoplastics and immunomodulators drove the cost of drugs (21.6% and 21.1% of the total cost of illness). Cost of antineoplastics was led by bortezomib (97.4%), whereas the cost driver for immunomodulators was lenalidomide (99.4%). Cost of hospitalization funded by the Italian National Health Service was strongly influenced by transplantation (94.6%), whereas chemotherapy and skeletal fractures did not exceed 1% and 2%, respectively. Despite some limitations, the CoMiM study provides Italian health care decision-makers with an insight into the stratified cost of illness of multiple myeloma patients.

Quality of life and cost of illness in patients with psoriasis in Malaysia: a multicenter study

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated, chronic, inflammatory skin disease which affects approximately 2% of the world's population. It has a major impact on the patient's quality of life (QoL), influencing career, social activities, family relationships, and all other aspects of life. Many studies have described the various ways in which psoriasis can affect a patient's life. Very little is known, however, about the impact of psoriasis on the QoL of patients treated in Malaysia and the cost of illness in this region. This study aims to describe the extent to which psoriasis affects the QoL of patients treated in government-run dermatology clinics in Malaysia and to estimate the cost of illness. A total of 250 psoriasis patients treated at eight dermatology clinics in government-run hospitals in Malaysia were studied. The severity of psoriasis was assessed by dermatologists. Quality of life was evaluated using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and Version 2 of the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12v2). Scores on the SF-12v2 of healthy subjects and of patients with other medical conditions, such as depression, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease, were also assessed for comparison. The costs of dermatology outpatient consultant fees, medications, investigations, procedures, transportation, over-the-counter medications, and hospitalization were retrospectively estimated using questionnaires. The cohort studied had a median Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) score of 9.9 and a median DLQI score of 10.0. The average SF-12v2 scores were 43.68 (standard deviation [SD] 9.23) and 42.25 (SD 10.7) on the Physical Health Summary and Mental Health Summary, respectively. The impact of disease on QoL was found to be greater in those with more extensive psoriatic lesion involvement, in younger patients, and in those with psoriatic arthropathy. Psoriasis was found to affect QoL in both genders equally. Body mass index had no effect on the severity of psoriasis or QoL. Patients with psoriasis had a significantly lower SF-12v2 score than healthy subjects. Comparisons with data for patients with other chronic medical conditions demonstrated that psoriasis has a negative effect on health-related QoL similar to the impact of other chronic conditions. The estimated cost of illness for psoriasis in the current cohort was ringgit Malaysia (RM) 1307.47 per person per year excluding costs of hospitalization. Patients were noted to spend a large amount of money on over-the-counter products obtained without doctors' prescriptions. The QoL of patients with psoriasis was significantly impaired compared with that of healthy subjects and was comparable with that of patients with other chronic medical illnesses. The estimated cost of illness of psoriasis in the current study was lower than in other countries, mainly because healthcare costs in public hospitals are heavily subsidized by government and because usage of newer but more expensive treatment options is low in Malaysia.