FROM MORTALITY TO MONEY: YEARS OF LIFE LOST AND THE ECONOMIC BURDEN OF CYSTIC FIBROSIS IN COLOMBIA (2005-2023)
Author(s)
Jenifer Maestre, MSc.1, Mayra Otero, MSc.2, Bruno Gutierrez, PhD3, MARIA CARRASQUILLA SOTOMAYOR, BEc, MSc4, Kevin E. Gamero Tafur, Sr., MSc5, Nelson José Alvis Zakzuk, MSc2;
1Universidad de la Costa -CUC, Barranquilla, Colombia, 2Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla, Colombia, 3Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia, 4Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, 5Pharmaser, Cartagena, Colombia
1Universidad de la Costa -CUC, Barranquilla, Colombia, 2Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla, Colombia, 3Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia, 4Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil, 5Pharmaser, Cartagena, Colombia
OBJECTIVES: To estimate years of life lost (YLL) and the economic burden of premature mortality due to cystic fibrosis (CF) in Colombia, 2005-2023.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective ecological study using national mortality records from Colombia’s National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE). YLL were calculated by sex, age group, and year of death following the Global Burden of Disease methodology. Productivity losses were estimated using a human capital approach, valuing potential earnings lost in the years before retirement age. We computed productive years of life lost (PYLL) and premature mortality costs using expected labor productivity. All analyses were performed in Microsoft Excel®. Estimates were produced from a societal perspective and expressed in US dollars (USD) for 2023.
RESULTS: Between 2005 and 2023, 573 CF deaths were recorded in Colombia, corresponding to 31,757 YLL. The highest YLL burden was concentrated in children aged 0-4 years for both males and females (4,837 and 4,405 YLL, respectively). Elevated YLL persisted in the 5-9 and 10-14 age groups, exceeding 2,000 YLL in each sex. Although YLL decreased with age, the burden remained substantial until age 30. In 2022-2023, male YLL rates peaked at approximately 5 per 100,000, while female rates remained stable (3-4 per 100,000) from 2015 onward. Total productivity losses exceeded US$108 million during the period, largely driven by pediatric and young-adult CF deaths.
CONCLUSIONS: Premature mortality due to CF in Colombia is concentrated in early life and adolescence and generates substantial productivity losses. Strengthening early diagnosis, equitable access to comprehensive multidisciplinary care, and sustained clinical monitoring is essential to prevent avoidable deaths. Policies to reduce underdiagnosis, expand newborn screening, and ensure long-term treatment coverage may reduce preventable mortality and associated societal costs. Establishing nationwide newborn screening, referral pathways, and CF registries may support earlier treatment and outcomes.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective ecological study using national mortality records from Colombia’s National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE). YLL were calculated by sex, age group, and year of death following the Global Burden of Disease methodology. Productivity losses were estimated using a human capital approach, valuing potential earnings lost in the years before retirement age. We computed productive years of life lost (PYLL) and premature mortality costs using expected labor productivity. All analyses were performed in Microsoft Excel®. Estimates were produced from a societal perspective and expressed in US dollars (USD) for 2023.
RESULTS: Between 2005 and 2023, 573 CF deaths were recorded in Colombia, corresponding to 31,757 YLL. The highest YLL burden was concentrated in children aged 0-4 years for both males and females (4,837 and 4,405 YLL, respectively). Elevated YLL persisted in the 5-9 and 10-14 age groups, exceeding 2,000 YLL in each sex. Although YLL decreased with age, the burden remained substantial until age 30. In 2022-2023, male YLL rates peaked at approximately 5 per 100,000, while female rates remained stable (3-4 per 100,000) from 2015 onward. Total productivity losses exceeded US$108 million during the period, largely driven by pediatric and young-adult CF deaths.
CONCLUSIONS: Premature mortality due to CF in Colombia is concentrated in early life and adolescence and generates substantial productivity losses. Strengthening early diagnosis, equitable access to comprehensive multidisciplinary care, and sustained clinical monitoring is essential to prevent avoidable deaths. Policies to reduce underdiagnosis, expand newborn screening, and ensure long-term treatment coverage may reduce preventable mortality and associated societal costs. Establishing nationwide newborn screening, referral pathways, and CF registries may support earlier treatment and outcomes.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
EPH213
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
SDC: Rare & Orphan Diseases