Resource utilization and inpatient hospitalization costs associated with thromboembolic events among patients with polycythemia vera.

Background: Healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs are often elevated in patients with polycythemia vera (PV), and this patient population has an increased risk of developing thromboembolic events (TEs). This study describes HCRU, costs, and mortality during TE-related hospitalizations among patients with PV in a contemporary real-world setting in the United States.

Patients and methods: This retrospective cohort study included adult inpatients with PV and TE discharged from 623 hospitals between January 1, 2017, and June 30, 2020 with a 2-year follow-up period after the first TE-related (index) hospitalization. Data were abstracted from the PINC AI Healthcare database, which includes 25% of US inpatient discharges.

Results: Among 3494 patients (index TE: arterial, 69.1%; venous, 27.1%; both, 3.7%), mean (SD) age was 70.7 (14) years, and most patients were male (58.6%), White (81.2%), with Medicare insurance (72.6%). Mean (SD) Charlson Comorbidity Index score was 3.2 (2.3). Mean total hospitalization costs were $24 403 during the index hospitalization (mean [SD] hospital length of stay [LOS], 7 [9] days). A third (n = 1150) of patients were admitted to the intensive care unit (mean cost, $29 342; mean [SD] LOS, 5 [7] days). During 30 days and 2 years of follow-up, the TE-related readmission rate was 6.4% and 20.0%, respectively. All-cause mortality was 6.2% during index hospitalization; an additional 4.7% occurred during the 2-year follow-up period.

Conclusion: Among patients with PV and TE, inpatient hospitalization HCRU, costs, and mortality were substantial. These findings highlight the importance of preventing TEs in the management of PV.