Medical Resource Utilizations and Economic Burden of Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia in Chinese Population: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

Author(s)

Boyang Li, Master, Xiaoning He, PhD, Jing Wu, PhD.
Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.
OBJECTIVES: To compare real-world disease burden-medical resource use and direct medical costs-between cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) and those with non-CIA in China, using tertiary hospitals data.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using a multi-center database from three tertiary hospitals (Beijing, Wuhan, Nanning). Adults diagnosed with lymphoma, breast, lung, colorectal, gastric, ovarian, cervical, or endometrial cancer (January 1, 2020-June 30, 2022) were classified as CIA or non-CIA by hemoglobin thresholds (men <120 g/L, women <110 g/L). Each patient was followed for one year from chemotherapy initiation (July 1, 2020-June 30, 2022). Proportions and mean number of outpatient (including emergency) and inpatient visits, and per-patient costs detailed by medication, diagnostics, treatment, surgery, bed fees, medical materials, and other expenses, were evaluated. In addition to total direct costs, per patient per month (PPPM) costs were estimated. Between-group differences were tested using chi-square and t-tests.
RESULTS: Among 2,431 patients (1,462 CIA, 969 non-CIA), CIA patients were older (57.2 ± 11.3 vs. 55.3 ± 11.3 years, p<0.001). The proportion of inpaitents was higher in CIA (99.8% vs. 96.2%, p<0.001), while outpaitents rate was lower (92.1% vs. 95.0%, p<0.001). Number of outpatient visits was similar (14.0 ± 13.4 vs. 12.1 ± 10.6), but CIA patients had more hospitalizations (6.3 ± 3.2 vs. 4.6 ± 2.7, p<0.001). Total direct medical costs were higher for CIA (¥100,580 ± 61,296 vs. ¥65,713 ± 49,683, p<0.001), driven by inpatient costs (¥76,893 ± 56,952 vs. ¥45,247 ± 39,402, p<0.001), which comprised 76% versus 69% of total. All inpatient cost components were significantly higher in CIA (p<0.001). PPPM total direct costs were also higher for CIA (¥13,886 ± 12,421 vs. ¥8,755 ±7,677, p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: CIA among Chinese cancer patients is associated with significantly greater inpatient resource use and higher costs, highlighting the need to optimize anemia management and policies to reduce hospitalization burden.

Conference/Value in Health Info

2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland

Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2

Code

RWD122

Topic

Real World Data & Information Systems

Topic Subcategory

Health & Insurance Records Systems

Disease

Oncology

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