Burden of chemotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia in the United States: a retrospective claims database study

Bhavik J. Pandya, Chi Chang Chen, Catherine B. McGuiness, Loretta Sullivan, Qi Feng, Elise Walsh, Uma Borate

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Real-world estimates of relapsed or refractory (R/R) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) chemotherapy episode costs are scarce. We quantified chemotherapy episode–related costs and healthcare resource use (HRU) in R/R AML. Research Design and Methods: This real-world, retrospective analysis of United States claims from IQVIA’s PharMetrics® Plus database (October 2008-September 2019) identified adults with R/R AML and ≥1 chemotherapy episode. Chemotherapy episode (ie, low- [LIC] or high-intensity [HIC] chemotherapy) costs and HRU were determined using inpatient, outpatient, and pharmacy claims. Results: Mean (SD) and median total all-cause healthcare costs per R/R AML chemotherapy episode were $230,799 ($300,770) and $129,117. Mean (SD) and median adjusted direct R/R AML chemotherapy episode costs were $116,384 ($151,425) and $63,298, with increases noted from the first to the second and subsequent episodes and with HIC. Hospitalizations were the major cost driver; 64.1% of patients had ≥1 hospitalization and 36% required an intensive care unit stay. Conclusions: R/R AML chemotherapy episode costs were high, with higher costs reported with HIC and increasing lines of chemotherapy. Hospitalizations were a main cost driver. Novel therapies with comparable or improved effectiveness and decreased need for hospitalizations versus chemotherapy may help alleviate the clinical and economic burden of R/R AML.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)857-866
Number of pages10
JournalExpert Review of Hematology
Volume15
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Chemotherapy
  • healthcare resource use
  • real-world cost analysis
  • relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology

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