Trends in Hospital Treatment of Follicular Lymphoma in Germany
Author(s)
Steffen Wahler, MA, MD1, Alfred Müller, No2.
1Member, St. Bernward, Hamburg, Germany, 2Analytic Services, Munich, Germany.
1Member, St. Bernward, Hamburg, Germany, 2Analytic Services, Munich, Germany.
OBJECTIVES: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is a common subtype of indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma with a typically chronic course requiring recurrent healthcare utilization. Understanding hospitalization patterns can inform healthcare planning and resource allocation. This study analyzes trends in hospitalizations for FL in Germany using data from the German hospital billing system.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using nationwide G-DRG data from 2014 to 2024. Hospital cases coded for FL were identified.
RESULTS: The number of FL-cases fluctuated during the period under review. 7,850 hospitalizations in 2014, an increase to 8,041 in 2019, a slump to 6,631 in 2022 and 9,074 in 2024, average 7,795. The share of cases by grading in 2024 (2022; 2019): grade I 15.2% (16.4%; 14,6%), grade II 43.2% (45.1%; 45.3%), grade IIIa 15.2% (15.1%; 16.1%), grade IIIb 5.4% (7.3%, 6.9%), grade III unspecified 5.4% (5.5%; 6.2%) cutaneous and other 15.7% (10.7%; 10.9%). The average age was grade I, grade II, grade IIIa, grade IIIb, grade IIIb unspecified: 67.9y, 67.5y, 67.9y, 66.7y, 70.6y (mean overall: 67.6y), length of stay was 5.7d, 5.4d, 6.1d, 8.0d, 7.3d (mean overall 5.8d). The share of cases in major universities was for the grades I, II, IIIa and IIIb: 20.7%, 26.7%, 24.8% and 27.0%; one day cases were 26.4%, 24.2%, 22.7% and 21.8%, use of Rituximab in 21.7%, 24.1%, 31.5% and 40.5%. Concentration curve shows that 80% of grade I patients are treated in 202 different hospitals, grade II in 197 hospitals, grade IIIa in 158 hospitals and IIIb in 120 hospitals.
CONCLUSIONS: FL-hospitalizations are overall increasing in the last decade, despite a sharp drop during Covid-19 pandemic. The share of grade IIIb patients declined. With the progressing disease (by grade) patients stay longer, despite more day-cases, they receive more specific medication, and the patients tend to switch their hospital to a higher level of expertise.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using nationwide G-DRG data from 2014 to 2024. Hospital cases coded for FL were identified.
RESULTS: The number of FL-cases fluctuated during the period under review. 7,850 hospitalizations in 2014, an increase to 8,041 in 2019, a slump to 6,631 in 2022 and 9,074 in 2024, average 7,795. The share of cases by grading in 2024 (2022; 2019): grade I 15.2% (16.4%; 14,6%), grade II 43.2% (45.1%; 45.3%), grade IIIa 15.2% (15.1%; 16.1%), grade IIIb 5.4% (7.3%, 6.9%), grade III unspecified 5.4% (5.5%; 6.2%) cutaneous and other 15.7% (10.7%; 10.9%). The average age was grade I, grade II, grade IIIa, grade IIIb, grade IIIb unspecified: 67.9y, 67.5y, 67.9y, 66.7y, 70.6y (mean overall: 67.6y), length of stay was 5.7d, 5.4d, 6.1d, 8.0d, 7.3d (mean overall 5.8d). The share of cases in major universities was for the grades I, II, IIIa and IIIb: 20.7%, 26.7%, 24.8% and 27.0%; one day cases were 26.4%, 24.2%, 22.7% and 21.8%, use of Rituximab in 21.7%, 24.1%, 31.5% and 40.5%. Concentration curve shows that 80% of grade I patients are treated in 202 different hospitals, grade II in 197 hospitals, grade IIIa in 158 hospitals and IIIb in 120 hospitals.
CONCLUSIONS: FL-hospitalizations are overall increasing in the last decade, despite a sharp drop during Covid-19 pandemic. The share of grade IIIb patients declined. With the progressing disease (by grade) patients stay longer, despite more day-cases, they receive more specific medication, and the patients tend to switch their hospital to a higher level of expertise.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-11, ISPOR Europe 2025, Glasgow, Scotland
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S2
Code
EPH262
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Organizational Practices
Topic Subcategory
Public Health
Disease
Oncology, Rare & Orphan Diseases