Medical complications, resource utilization and costs in patients with myelofibrosis by frequency of blood transfusion and iron chelation therapy. Issue 10 (3rd October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vekeman, Francis; Cheng, Wendy Y.; Sasane, Medha; Huynh, Lynn; Duh, Mei Sheng; Paley, Carole; Mesa, Ruben A.
• Is Part Of: Leukemia & lymphoma. Volume 56:Issue 10(2015:Oct.)
• Page Start: 2803
• Page End: 2811
• Publication Date: 2015-10-03
• Subjects: Myelofibrosis -- transfusion dependent -- iron chelation therapy -- medical resource utilization -- economic cost; Leukemia -- Periodicals; Lymphomas -- Periodicals; 616.99419
• DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2015.1016933
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1042-8194

Abstract

Abstract : Iron chelation therapies (ICTs) can help eliminate iron surplus in erythrocyte transfusion-dependent (TD) patients with myelofibrosis (MF). The study assessed adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) of MF-related complications and resource utilization (RU) and adjusted mean monthly inpatient cost differences in patients with TD MF treated with versus without ICT (ICT+ vs. ICT−) using data from two healthcare claims databases. Patients with ≥ 2 MF International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9) diagnosis codes ≥ 30 days apart were included. Among 571 patients with TD MF, 103 (18%) were ICT+ and 468 (82%) were ICT−. ICT+ patients had lower rates of thrombocytopenia (aIRR: 0.55; p < 0.001), pancytopenia (0.53; p < 0.001), emergency room visits (0.84 [95% confidence interval: 0.74–0.96]) and inpatient stays (0.75 [0.64–0.87]), but higher rates of outpatient visits (1.21 [1.18–1.23]). Adjusted mean complication-related inpatient cost difference per month was lower in ICT+ patients (−$1804 [$570]; p = 0.004). ICT+ patients had significantly lower rates of acute care, but higher rates of outpatient care.