Healthcare Resource Utilization and Associated Costs of German Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) – a Retrospective Health Claims Data Analysis

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with increasing prevalence. Although the disease burden associated with DLBCL is high, only limited data on healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and associated costs of German patients with DLBCL is available. Using a large claims database of the German statutory health insurance with 6.7 million enrollees, we identified patients who were newly diagnosed with DLBCL (index date) and had no other cancer co-morbidity. Identification period was between 2011 and 2018 and post index period had to be at least one year except for death. Treatment lines were identified based on a predefined set of medications categorized by established DLBCL treatment recommendations. HCRU and related costs were collected for the entire post index period and per treatment line.

2,495 incident DLBCL patients were eligible for the study. The average follow up time after index was 41.7 months. During follow up 1,991 patients started a 1^st line treatment, 868 a 2^nd line treatment, and 354 a 3^rd line treatment. Overall, patients spent on average 5.24 days per month in hospital after index. While on anti-cancer treatment this number increase to 9 in 1^st line, 8.7 in 2^nd line, and 9.4 in 3^rd line treatment. Overall costs per patient per month (PPPM) were €3,695 after index. While on a treatment line, PPPM costs were €17,170 in 1^st line, €13,362 in 2^nd line, and €12,112 in 3^rd line. Absolute costs sum up to is €59,868, €35,870, and €28,832 during 1^st line, 2^nd line, and 3^rd line, respectively. Main cost drivers were hospitalizations (71% of total costs) and drug acquisition costs (18% of total costs).

The financial burden of DLBCL in Germany is high and there is a high medical need for new cost effective therapeutic options that can lower the disease burden and remain financially viable to support the growing number of patients with this aggressive disease.