OBJECTIVES:

To analyse resource utilisation and related health care costs among patients with multiple myeloma (MM) with ≥ 2 prior lines of treatment based on the patients’ serum monoclonal protein in Finland.

METHODS:

Real World Data of adult patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma from Auria Biobank during 2009-2013 was collected. The time of disease diagnosis was based on the date of the ISS classification. Patients were divided into non-Active (n-AD) and Active disease (AD) stage based on the median serum monoclonal protein (IgG or IgA) following second line of treatment. Patients were defined as Active if IgG or IgA in the time of follow-up was > 20 g/l. This threshold value was based on a Finnish expert opinion. Data on health care resource utilisation, including hospital treatment periods, hospital days, outpatient visits, medical procedures and laboratories was collected and valued in 2016 prices.

RESULTS:

Of the total 103 patients diagnosed with MM in the Hospital District of Southwest Finland, 33 had received ≥ 2 prior lines of treatment. 13 patients (39.4%) were categorised as n-AD. The total average follow-up (years) and patient years, respectively were 0.79 and 10.31 in n-AD and 0.52 and 10.38 in AD. Patients in n-AD had on average 56% less hospital treatment periods, 63% less hospital days, 18% less outpatient visits, 23% less medical procedures, 74% less radiation therapy and 44% less laboratories per patient year compared to patients in AD. The total average health care costs (without medications) per patient were €15,922 and €18,389 and per patient year €20,078 and €35,432 in n-AD and AD, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results indicate increased health care resource utilisation and higher related health care costs for patients with multiple myeloma with ≥ 2 prior lines of treatment, who are in an active disease state.