A retrospective observational single-centre study on the burden of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
BACKGROUND
German data on economic consequences of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) are limited.


METHODS
A retrospective, observational study based on chart review of adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of ITP was conducted at a German university hospital. Costs are presented from the hospital perspective.


RESULTS
Of 50 eligible patients, 45 could be classified by disease duration: 19 patients < 3 months (38%, newly diagnosed ITP), 12 patients ≥ 3 to < 12 months (24%, persistent ITP), 19 patients ≥ 12 months (38%, chronic ITP). Complications included 85 bleeding events in 43 patients, including 3 intracranial haemorrhages. Documented were 955 outpatient visits in 43 patients (86%) and 92 inpatient hospital admissions in 45 patients (90%). Of the 46 patients (92%) treated, all received corticosteroids, 25 (50%) intravenous immunoglobulin, and 7 (14%) further therapies. 12 patients (24%) underwent splenectomy. Average total direct medical costs (mean (standard deviation)) were 17,091 (18,859) per patient, 12,749 (11,663) in 17 newly diagnosed ITP patients with a 0.88-month (0.65 months) average disease duration, and 29,868 (29,397) in 13 chronic ITP patients with a 33.5-month (16.8 months) average disease duration. Inpatient stays were the main cost drivers.


CONCLUSIONS
These data concerning current healthcare provision for ITP patients in Germany indicate considerable resource consumption and the need for more effective treatment options in individual patients.
Dept. of Medical Management, University Hospital of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Matthaeus
M
Bauer
Anja
A
Baumann
Karin
K
Berger
Birgit
B
Ackermann
Rita
R
Shlaen
Dorothee
D
Schopohl
Helmut
H
Ostermann
D000368:Aged; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment