Incidence and costs of cardiac device infections: retrospective analysis using German health claims data. (May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ludwig, Saskia; Theis, Cathrin; Brown, Ben; Witthohn, Andreas; Lux, Wolfram; Goette, Andreas
• Is Part Of: Journal of comparative effectiveness research. Volume 7:Number 5(2018)
• Page Start: 483
• Page End: 492
• Publication Date: 2018-05
• Subjects: health economics -- medical devices -- outcomes research; Medical care -- Research -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Research -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Decision making -- Periodicals; Evidence-based medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine, Comparative -- Periodicals; 362.1072
• DOI: 10.2217/cer-2017-0080
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2042-6305

Abstract

Aim: Estimate incidence and costs of cardiac device infections (CDIs) in Germany.Materials & methods: Patients had an implantable cardioverter defibrillator implanted over 2010–2013 and were followed to December 2014 using German health insurance claims data. A case-controlled analysis was performed using propensity score matching methods.Results: Risk of CDI 12 months post-implant was 3.4% overall, either 2.9% for de novo procedures versus 4.4% for replacement procedures. Mean 3-year incremental expenditure per patient for patients with CDI compared with controls was €31, 493 for de novo implant patients and €33, 777 for replacement patients. Mean incremental expenditure was €59, 419 per patient with a major infection.Conclusion: CDIs are highly expensive to manage, reinforcing the need for strategies to reduce their occurrence.