Effect of CD34(+) cell dose on resource utilization in patients after high-dose chemotherapy with peripheral-blood stem-cell support.
OBJECTIVE
The mean time to neutrophil and platelet recovery for patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) supported with peripheral-blood stem cells (PBSCs) is related to the dose of CD34(+) cells infused. The effect of cell dose on resource utilization after transplantation has not been previously reported.


METHODS
We assessed CD34(+) cell dose and resource utilization for 1,317 patients undergoing transplantation with PBSCs from April 1991 to June 1997. PBSCs were collected after mobilization with chemotherapy and recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF). Daily measurement of the CD34(+) content of the PBSC collection was performed by a central laboratory using a single CD34(+) analysis technique. Resource utilization included engraftment parameters, length of stay, and transfusion requirements for 100 days posttransplantation. Analysis included descriptive statistics and multiple regression.


RESULTS
Mean patient age was 47 years, and 86% of patients were female. Median cell dose was 3.6 x 10(6)/kg and 13.2 x 10(6)/kg for patients receiving less than 5.0 x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg and 5.0 x 10(6) or more CD34(+) cells/kg, respectively. Patients receiving less than 5. 0 x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg were more likely to have metastatic breast cancer or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and required more platelet and RBC transfusions, 3.3 more hospital days, and increased antibiotic and antifungal use. In univariate analysis, the cost of care was $41,516 (+/-$20,876 SD) and $32,382 (+/-$16,353 SD) for patients with less than 5.0 x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg and 5.0 x 10(6) or more CD34(+) cells/kg, respectively. In multivariate analysis, patients with less than 5.0 x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg had an increase in costs of $5,062 (+/- $1,262 SE).


CONCLUSIONS
Infusion of more than 5.0 x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg was associated with a reduction in resource utilization. Achieving a target of 5.0 x 10(6) CD34(+) cells/kg should have important clinical and economic benefits for patients.
Schulman
K A
KA
Clinical Economics Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20007, USA. schulmak@gunet.georgetown.edu
Birch
R
R
Zhen
B
B
Pania
N
N
Weaver
C H
CH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000191:economics*; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018952:Antigens, CD34; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents