OBJECTIVES

The economic burden of progressive fibrosing ILD (PF-ILD) is poorly characterized. We aimed to examine healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and related costs associated with PF-ILD.

METHODS

We analyzed IBM^® MarketScan^® claims data (October 2011–September 2015) for patients aged ≥18 years with fibrosing ILD diagnosis defined as a new lung fibrosis claim (after 365 days continuous enrolment) followed by a second claim within 30–365 days, using the second claim as the diagnosis date. PF-ILD was defined on or after fibrosing ILD diagnosis upon occurrence of any proxies for progression (index) (e.g ≥2 pulmonary function tests within 90 days, ≥2 HRCTs within 1 year or oxygen use). HRU and related costs (mean±SD) were summed during the baseline period (before diagnosis of PF-ILD) and the 1-year follow-up period after PF-ILD diagnosis (for patients with sufficient follow-up).

RESULTS

Among 128,231 patients with a lung fibrosis claim, 23,577 (18%) had a second claim required for inclusion, and of these 14,722 patients were classified as having PF-ILD (based on proxies for progression).

Among these PF-ILD patients, there was a higher mean (±SD) number of outpatient visits (including services) during 1-year follow-up (n=5,840; 41.89 [30.15]) than during baseline (25.70 [20.90]). Mean (±SD) number of inpatient admissions was 0.69 (1.18) during follow-up and 0.51 (0.92) during baseline, including more ICU admissions and respiratory-related hospitalizations. Mean total costs were higher during follow-up (n=5,815; $54,215 [116,833]) than during baseline ($37,340 [74,323]). This trend was similar for both inpatient costs (follow-up: $20,746 [88,880]; baseline: $14,883 [53,404]) and outpatient costs ($24,711 [51,429] and $17,075 [37,987]).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with PF-ILD, HRU and related costs, particularly relating to outpatient visits, were higher during 1-year follow-up than the baseline period. This study provides much-needed insights into HRU and costs in patients with a progressive phenotype of chronic fibrosing ILD.