Economic and Social Burden of Pulmonary Hypertension in Italy
Author(s)
Martina Paoletti, Master Degree1, Dario Vizza, -2, Michele D'Alto, -3, Stefano Ghio, -4, Laura Scelsi, -4, Roberto Badagliacca, -5, Paola Argiento, -6, Cloud Ranieri, -7, Paolo Sciattella, MSc, PhD8.
1-, CEIS - Economic Evaluation and HTA (EEHTA), ROMA, Italy, 2Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University, -, Italy, 3Department of Cardiology, Monaldi Hospital, University of Campania, -, Italy, 4UOC Cardiologia 1, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S.Matteo, Pavia, Italy, -, Italy, 5Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anesthesiologic and Geriatric Sciences, Sa, -, Italy, 6Department of Cardiology, A.O.R.N dei Collo-Monaldi Hospital, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy, -, Italy, 7Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Department, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Hospital, Turin, Italy., -, Italy, 8CEIS - Economic Evaluation and HTA (EEHTA), Rome, Italy.
1-, CEIS - Economic Evaluation and HTA (EEHTA), ROMA, Italy, 2Department of Clinical Internal, Anesthesiological and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University, -, Italy, 3Department of Cardiology, Monaldi Hospital, University of Campania, -, Italy, 4UOC Cardiologia 1, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S.Matteo, Pavia, Italy, -, Italy, 5Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological, Anesthesiologic and Geriatric Sciences, Sa, -, Italy, 6Department of Cardiology, A.O.R.N dei Collo-Monaldi Hospital, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy, -, Italy, 7Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Department, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Hospital, Turin, Italy., -, Italy, 8CEIS - Economic Evaluation and HTA (EEHTA), Rome, Italy.
OBJECTIVES: Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a rare, chronic, and progressive disease with a significant clinical, social, and economic impact. Despite available therapies, none address the underlying cause but rather focus on symptom management. This study aims to estimate the economic and social burden of PAH in Italy, analyzing direct healthcare, direct non-healthcare, and indirect costs related to productivity loss due to the disease.
METHODS: A bottom-up prevalence-based Cost of Illness model was developed using epidemiological data and healthcare resource consumption obtained from national and international literature. The model was validated by seven Key Opinion Leaders to evaluate its consistency with national clinical practice. The analysis was conducted from a societal perspective over a one-year horizon. Direct costs including hospitalization, drugs, and outpatient visits. Productivity loss due to the disease was evaluated using a Human Capital Approach.
RESULTS: Approximately 3,500 PAH patients were identified in Italy, with 2-5% in Functional Class (FC) I, 28-31% in FC II, 53-57% in FC III, and 7-11% in FC IV. The total annual expenditure for PAH treatment and management was estimated at approximately €470 million, with 69% attributed to direct healthcare costs, 9% to direct non-healthcare costs, and 22% to indirect costs. The mean annual cost per patient, approximately €134,000, shows a direct correlation with the disease severity, increasing from €46,303 for FC I to €264,740 for CF IV.
CONCLUSIONS: PAH has a substantial economic burden, increasing with disease severity. Early diagnosis and targeted interventions could improve patient outcomes, reduce complications, and optimize resource allocation for the National Health Service and society.
METHODS: A bottom-up prevalence-based Cost of Illness model was developed using epidemiological data and healthcare resource consumption obtained from national and international literature. The model was validated by seven Key Opinion Leaders to evaluate its consistency with national clinical practice. The analysis was conducted from a societal perspective over a one-year horizon. Direct costs including hospitalization, drugs, and outpatient visits. Productivity loss due to the disease was evaluated using a Human Capital Approach.
RESULTS: Approximately 3,500 PAH patients were identified in Italy, with 2-5% in Functional Class (FC) I, 28-31% in FC II, 53-57% in FC III, and 7-11% in FC IV. The total annual expenditure for PAH treatment and management was estimated at approximately €470 million, with 69% attributed to direct healthcare costs, 9% to direct non-healthcare costs, and 22% to indirect costs. The mean annual cost per patient, approximately €134,000, shows a direct correlation with the disease severity, increasing from €46,303 for FC I to €264,740 for CF IV.
CONCLUSIONS: PAH has a substantial economic burden, increasing with disease severity. Early diagnosis and targeted interventions could improve patient outcomes, reduce complications, and optimize resource allocation for the National Health Service and society.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EE351
Topic
Economic Evaluation
Topic Subcategory
Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies
Disease
Respiratory-Related Disorders (Allergy, Asthma, Smoking, Other Respiratory)