The economic burden of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Australia: a cost of illness study

Ingrid A. Cox, Barbara Graaff, Hasnat Ahmed, Julie Campbell, Petr Otahal, Tamera J. Corte, Yuben Moodley, Nicole Goh, Peter Hopkins, Sacha Macansh, E. Haydn Walters and Andrew J. Palmer ()
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Ingrid A. Cox: University of Tasmania
Barbara Graaff: University of Tasmania
Hasnat Ahmed: University of Tasmania
Petr Otahal: University of Tasmania
Tamera J. Corte: NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Yuben Moodley: NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Nicole Goh: NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Peter Hopkins: NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence for Pulmonary Fibrosis
Sacha Macansh: Lung Foundation of Australia
E. Haydn Walters: University of Tasmania
Andrew J. Palmer: University of Tasmania

The European Journal of Health Economics, 2023, vol. 24, issue 7, No 9, 1139 pages

Abstract: Abstract Purpose Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a type of interstitial lung disease found mostly in elderly persons, characterized by a high symptom burden and frequent encounters with health services. This study aimed to quantify the economic burden of IPF in Australia with a focus on resource utilization and associated direct costs. Methods Participants were recruited from the Australian IPF Registry (AIPFR) between August 2018 and December 2019. Data on resource utilization and costs were collected via cost diaries and linked administrative data. Clinical data were collected from the AIPFR. A “bottom up” costing methodology was utilized, and the costing was performed from a partial societal perspective focusing primarily on direct medical and non-medical costs. Costs were standardized to 2021 Australian dollars ($). Results The average annual total direct costs per person with IPF was $31,655 (95% confidence interval (95% CI): $27,723–$35,757). Extrapolating costs based on prevalence estimates, the total annual costs in Australia are projected to be $299 million (95% CI: $262 million–$338 million). Costs were mainly driven by antifibrotic medication, hospital admissions and medications for comorbidities. Disease severity, comorbidities and antifibrotic medication all had varying impacts on resource utilization and costs. Conclusion This cost-of-illness study provides the first comprehensive assessment of IPF-related direct costs in Australia, identifies the key cost drivers and provides a framework for future health economic analyses. Additionally, it provided insight into the major cost drivers which include antifibrotic medication, hospital admissions and medications related to comorbidities. Our findings emphasize the importance of the appropriate management of comorbidities in the care of people with IPF as this was one of the main reasons for hospitalizations.

Keywords: Cost of illness; Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; Heath resource utilization; Economic burden (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1007/s10198-022-01538-7

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