An examination of productivity and resource utilization associated with epoetin alfa treatment in employees with predialysis chronic kidney disease.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the employer cost burden of predialysis CKD-related anemia for a major US manufacturer, by examining indirect and direct costs before and after initiation of epoetin alfa (EPO).


METHODS
Hemoglobin (Hb) levels, direct costs, and indirect costs for employees with CKD-related anemia were collected for 15 months (9 months pre-EPO and 6 months concurrent/post-EPO treatment). Indirect costs (absenteeism and presenteeism) and direct costs (medical and pharmacy) were compared for the pre- and post-EPO treatment periods.


RESULTS
Treating CKD-related anemia with EPO increased Hb levels from 9.4 (1 to 3 months pre-EPO)to 12.2 g/dL (4 to 6 months post-EPO), decreased absenteeism by 52.3 days per patient per year (PPPY), increased productivity by 91.5% PPPY, and reduced health care costs by approximately $4417 PPPY.


CONCLUSIONS
Among employees with predialysis CKD-related anemia, EPO treatment was associated with increased Hb levels, improved productivity, and decreased direct employer costs.
Papatheofanis
Frank
F
UCSD, San Diego, California, USA. fpapath@ucsd.edu
Bookhart
Brahim K
BK
Muser
Erik
E
Piech
Catherine Tak
CT
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000740:Anemia / Q000191:economics* / Q000209:etiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003669:Deductibles and Coinsurance / Q000191:economics; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational / Q000191:economics*; D017049:Employer Health Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006397:Hematinics / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014481:United States
D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa