Prevalence of anemia in clinic patients with heart failure and cost analysis of epoetin treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of anemia in an outpatient heart failure clinic, describe the type of anemia in patients treated there, and evaluate the potential costs associated with epoetin therapy in this cohort.


METHODS
Single-center, retrospective cohort analysis (part 1) and a literature-based economic decision analysis (part 2).


METHODS
Medical records from a multidisciplinary, outpatient, heart failure clinic, and published hospitalization and drug-use data.


METHODS
We evaluated 170 adults with chronic heart failure who were enrolled in the clinic and for whom at least one complete blood count was recorded between January 1, 2003, and April 15, 2006.


RESULTS
In part 1, demographic and clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records. The overall prevalence of anemia was 47.6% or 47.1%, as based on World Health Organization or National Kidney Foundation definitions, respectively. Normocytic anemia was characterized in 75.0% of patients. In part 2, heart failure hospitalization rates and costs, drug acquisition, and drug administration were estimated by using the published literature. In a hypothetical cohort of 100 patients with heart failure and comorbid anemia, the costs associated with outpatient epoetin and intravenous iron therapy exceeded savings in hospitalization costs by $83,070. Results of 1-way sensitivity analyses generally confirmed robustness of the model.


CONCLUSIONS
Anemia is a common comorbidity in patients with chronic heart failure treated in the outpatient clinic. Although the current evidence is insufficient to support the use of epoetin in this population, initial findings indicate that epoetin and intravenous iron therapy may be associated with positive clinical outcomes. From a pharmacoeconomic standpoint, however, a reduction in the cost of heart failure-related hospitalization does not offset the cost of epoetin and intravenous iron therapy.
Choy
Christine K
CK
Department of Pharmacy and Clinical Sciences, South Carolina College of Pharmacy-Medical University of South Carolina Campus, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. cchoy@rx.umaryland.edu
Spencer
Anne P
AP
Nappi
Jean M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000150:complications*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D006397:Hematinics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D007501:Iron