Economic Burden of Pneumococcal Disease—Impact of Age and Underlying Medical Conditions
Author(s)
Min Huang, PhD1, Jipan Xie, MD, PhD2, Walter Albert Orenstein, MD3, Hela Romdhani, PhD4, Yan Song, PhD5, Elamin Elbasha, BSc, MA, PhD6, Matthew Kelly, MD, MPH7.
1Sr. Principal Scientist, Merck & Co. Inc, North Wales, PA, USA, 2XL Source, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, USA, 3School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA, 4Analysis Group, Montreal, QC, Canada, 5Analysis Group, Boston, MA, USA, 6Merck & Co. Inc, West Point, PA, USA, 7Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Little Rock, AR, USA.
1Sr. Principal Scientist, Merck & Co. Inc, North Wales, PA, USA, 2XL Source, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, USA, 3School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA, 4Analysis Group, Montreal, QC, Canada, 5Analysis Group, Boston, MA, USA, 6Merck & Co. Inc, West Point, PA, USA, 7Arkansas Children’s Hospital, Little Rock, AR, USA.
OBJECTIVES: Pneumococcal disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The risk of pneumococcal disease varies based on the presence of underlying medical conditions, which defines three groups: “high-risk” (individuals with immunocompromising conditions), “at-risk” (immunocompetent individuals with chronic cardiovascular or pulmonary conditions), and “low-risk” (healthy individuals). This study summarizes the economic burden of pneumococcal disease across these risk groups.
METHODS: A targeted literature review was conducted using MEDLINE to identify economic studies of pneumococcal disease published globally since 2010. The review included studies that estimated the per-episode cost of pneumococcal disease, stratified by risk level or specific underlying conditions. Per-episode costs were compiled for each pneumococcal disease manifestation and adjusted to 2023 United States dollars using local consumer price indices and currency conversion rates. Cost ratios comparing costs for at-risk or high-risk populations to healthy populations were estimated if this information was reported. Analyses were conducted separately for children (0-17 years) and adults (≥18 years).
RESULTS: Sixteen studies from nine countries were included: two in children, 13 in adults, and one in both. Per-episode costs in healthy adults were $14,299-$61,277 for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), $14,133-$39,114 for inpatient pneumonia, and $684-$1,590 for outpatient pneumonia. Costs per IPD episode were generally similar across risk groups, whereas costs of pneumonia increased with risk — mean cost ratios for at-risk and high-risk populations were 1.20 and 1.67 for inpatient pneumonia, and 2.01 and 3.57 for outpatient pneumonia. Risk conditions were significantly associated with higher costs in multivariable analyses. Costs for children were slightly higher but showed similar trends by risk.
CONCLUSIONS: IPD and inpatient pneumonia impose significant economic burdens on healthcare systems. Risk conditions for pneumococcal disease are associated with higher costs for pneumonia. Targeted interventions for at-risk and high-risk populations may effectively reduce the overall economic burden of pneumococcal disease.
METHODS: A targeted literature review was conducted using MEDLINE to identify economic studies of pneumococcal disease published globally since 2010. The review included studies that estimated the per-episode cost of pneumococcal disease, stratified by risk level or specific underlying conditions. Per-episode costs were compiled for each pneumococcal disease manifestation and adjusted to 2023 United States dollars using local consumer price indices and currency conversion rates. Cost ratios comparing costs for at-risk or high-risk populations to healthy populations were estimated if this information was reported. Analyses were conducted separately for children (0-17 years) and adults (≥18 years).
RESULTS: Sixteen studies from nine countries were included: two in children, 13 in adults, and one in both. Per-episode costs in healthy adults were $14,299-$61,277 for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), $14,133-$39,114 for inpatient pneumonia, and $684-$1,590 for outpatient pneumonia. Costs per IPD episode were generally similar across risk groups, whereas costs of pneumonia increased with risk — mean cost ratios for at-risk and high-risk populations were 1.20 and 1.67 for inpatient pneumonia, and 2.01 and 3.57 for outpatient pneumonia. Risk conditions were significantly associated with higher costs in multivariable analyses. Costs for children were slightly higher but showed similar trends by risk.
CONCLUSIONS: IPD and inpatient pneumonia impose significant economic burdens on healthcare systems. Risk conditions for pneumococcal disease are associated with higher costs for pneumonia. Targeted interventions for at-risk and high-risk populations may effectively reduce the overall economic burden of pneumococcal disease.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EE362
Topic
Economic Evaluation
Topic Subcategory
Cost/Cost of Illness/Resource Use Studies
Disease
Infectious Disease (non-vaccine)