OBJECTIVES: Patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (TDT) have reduced or absent β-globin production and require regular red blood cell transfusions (RBCTs) for survival. This study describes the healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) associated with TDT in France.

METHODS: This longitudinal, retrospective cohort study utilized the French National Health Data System database (SNDS, système national des données de santé). Patients were identified by having an inpatient claim or registration in the long-term condition database (ALD, affection longue durée) with a diagnosis of β-thalassemia between January 1, 2012, and March 1, 2019. Eligible patients with TDT were required to have ≥8 RBCTs/year in any 2 consecutive years. Patients were required to have data for ≥1 year before and after their index date (i.e., the eighth transfusion in the second year of 2 consecutive years). Patients were followed from index until death or study period end (March 1, 2020). Demographics were assessed at index. The rates of RBCTs and HCRU were summarized per patient per year (PPPY) during the follow-up period.

RESULTS: A total of 331 patients with TDT were included. The mean age of patients was 26.1 years, and 164 (49.5%) patients were female. The mean length of follow-up was 4.9 years. Patients with TDT averaged 13.5 RBCTs PPPY during the follow-up period. Patients averaged 14.8 inpatient hospital admissions PPPY; of these, 13.8 were day cases and 1.0 were overnight stays lasting ≥1 day. Patients also averaged 3.3 emergency room visits, 6.3 outpatient visits, and 16.9 outpatient prescriptions (all PPPY).

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with TDT in France require substantial HCRU associated with their care. HCRU is driven by frequent RBCTs, inpatient hospital admissions, and significant utilization rates of emergency room visits, outpatient visits, and prescriptions.