OBJECTIVES: Plantar fibromatosis (PF) is a rare pathology of the plantar aponeurosis characterized by disordered fibrous tissue and subsequent formation of nodules of the feet. Given the lack of evidence on the economic burden of PF, this study assessed healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs among patients with PF in the US.

METHODS: Adults (≥18 years) with evidence of PF diagnosis from SNOMED codes or problem names in IQVIA’s Ambulatory Electronic Medical Records linked to IQVIA’s PharMetrics^® Plus were identified between January 1, 2015-March 31, 2020 (first PF diagnosis date=index date). Continuous enrollment during 12 months before index (baseline) and 24 months after index (follow-up), ≥1 additional PF diagnosis ≥30 days after index, no prior PF diagnosis, and absence of select other lower limb conditions during baseline were required. All-cause HCRU and costs were evaluated during baseline. PF-related (computed from claims with PF diagnosis code or PF-related treatment) HCRU and costs were additionally evaluated during follow-up.

RESULTS: The incident PF cohort (N=620) had mean (SD) age of 52.2 (9.9) years and was predominantly women (63.2%). Mean total all-cause costs per patient were $9,616 in baseline, increasing to $11,418 in follow-up year 1 (18.7% higher than baseline) and $11,370 in follow-up year 2 (18.2% higher). Mean total PF-related costs per patient were $1,463 during 24-month follow-up, accounting for 6.4% of all-cause costs, with higher costs during follow-up year 1 compared to year 2 ($1,080 vs. $383). Physician office visits and outpatient surgical services constituted the largest sources of PF-related costs in follow-up year 1 (31.6% and 21.9%, respectively) and year 2 (19.4% and 19.6%).

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PF had increased all-cause and disease-related healthcare resource use and costs during the first year following diagnosis. PF-related costs were driven by medical services, including physician office visits and outpatient surgical services.