OBJECTIVES: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common inherited blood disorder that associated with enormous health care resource utilization. Many patients diagnosed with this lifelong disease suffer from serious complications and are in need of routine comprehensive care. The objective of the study was to determine the annual economic costs of children and adults diagnosed with SCD in the US.

METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study using the Truven Health MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Databases from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2015. Health care resources use, including hospitalizations, emergency room visits, outpatient visits, and the length of hospital stay, were measured within the calendar year of first occurrence date of sickle cell disease. Using current epidemiologic and insurance claims data, we estimated the incremental economic burden of SCD in the US from both payer’s and patients’ perspective.

RESULTS: Among a total of 11,821 individuals (aged 0-96 years) with SCD met study inclusion criteria, the average number of outpatient visits, inpatient visits, and emergency room visits were 17, 1 and 1 per patient per calendar year, respectively. The average length of hospital stay was 4 days. Using the national prevalence data, the estimated incremental economic burden of SCD was $2.98 billion per year in the US (inflation-adjusted dollar in 2015). The composition of these costs included 57% attributable to inpatient costs (average: $15,040 per patient), 38% to outpatient costs (average: $10,079 per patient), and 5% to patients’ out-of-pocket expenses (average: $1,293 per patient).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that SCD is not only associated with the substantial cost to the society, but it also imposed a significant financial burden to the patient. Interventional strategies including early diagnosis and treatment, individualized care plan, and regular follow-up checkups are essential to prevent serious complications, therefore, reducing the economic burden of SCD.