OBJECTIVES

: Our study aims to simulate the life-long cost of Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgAN) to demonstrate its economic burden and quantify the potential cost savings resulting from improved care delivery in China

METHODS

: A three-state (IgAN, End-stage renal disease/ESRD, Death) Markov model was developed to evaluate the total cost of IgAN in a life-long (45 years) time horizon from society perspective. The direct medical and non-medical cost including hospitalization, drugs, lab tests, transportation expenses etc. were obtained from published articles and national statistics website. The indirect cost including the productivity lose due to IgAN and ESRD were calculated based on national average GDP and working days lose due to the disease

RESULTS

: Using Markov model simulation, the life-long cumulated renal survival rate was 37.33%. The medical cost of IgAN and ESRD accounted for 78.08 % of total life-long cost. The indirect cost of IgAN and ESRD due to the productivity lose accounted for 21.92%. If the risk of progression to ESRD reduced 10%, 20%, 30% by new intervention compared to current IgAN treatment, 4, 8 and 14 years of ESRD will be delayed.

CONCLUSIONS

: The life-long cost of patients with IgAN imposes a tremendous economic burden in China healthcare system, which mainly comes from the medical cost after progression to ESRD. New therapies of IgAN may have both significant clinical and economic benefits from halting or delaying progression to ESRD.