OBJECTIVES : Based on data from the German statutory health insurance system (GKV), we evaluated the costs and health resource utilization (HRU) associated with peripheral neuropathy (PNP), a commonly reported adverse event in patients (pts) with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODS : A claims database was used to identify pts with MM (ICD-10 C90.0-), which includes around 3.7 million insured pts representing approximately 5% of the GKV-population. Among MM pts who experienced PNP between 01/2014-12/2017 (coded as ICD-10 G62.0, G62.8, or G62.9), PNP-associated costs were evaluated using the uniform physician’s fee scale and Diagnosis Related Groups. Only the costs reimbursed by GKV were considered; additional out-of-pocket expenditures by patients were not captured.

RESULTS : In total, 618 MM pts were included, 58% were male and 72% aged ≥65 years. Most pts (88%) were treated in outpatient setting. For 12% (n=76) of MM pts, PNP was documented during their first-line treatment. A bortezomib-based regimen was the most common treatment regimen (83% of all patients) in first line with a median treatment duration of 92 days. Of the 76 PNP cases, 29 were treated in a hospital and 52 in ambulatory care. Total costs of care for patients with a PNP diagnosis varied according to age: mean hospital costs were €39,454 in the elderly pts (aged ≥65) and €7,956 in younger pts. Mean ambulatory costs of PNP treatment were higher for the elderly pts (€77) than younger pts (€31). Further costs for other cures, remedies, or individual prevention courses were documented for 37 pts. These costs did not differ by age group (≥65: €323; <65: €372).

CONCLUSIONS : In this real-world MM cohort, PNP was reported frequently in pts treated with bortezomib in first line. PNP management showed to be an increased cost burden especially in elderly pts for the German healthcare system.