(220) Economic Burden of Cytopenia in Patients with Myelofibrosis: Analysis of a US National Administrative Claims Database

Background: : Cytopenic myelofibrosis (MF), defined as the presence of anemia and/or thrombocytopenia, is associated with worse prognosis. However, little is known about the economic burden of cytopenic MF.

Objective: : To estimate healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs in patients with MF with or without cytopenia.

Methods: : Adults diagnosed with MF from July 2016 to April 2023 were identified using administrative claims in the Optum Research Database. Patients were required to be continuously enrolled for ≥6 months before MF diagnosis (baseline period) and ≥12 months after diagnosis, unless they died within 12 months (follow-up period). Cytopenia was defined as a diagnosis of anemia or thrombocytopenia within 30 days of MF diagnosis, or prior to MF treatment. All-cause and MF-related HCRU and costs (adjusted to 2023 US dollars), were estimated in baseline and follow-up periods and presented as per-patient-per-month.

Results: : Of 1,532 patients included, 1,074 (70%) were cytopenic at MF diagnosis. Compared to patients without cytopenia, patients with cytopenic MF were more likely to be older than 65 years (85% vs 71%, p< 0.001), and had a higher baseline Charlson comorbidity score (mean±SD: 2.2±2.2 vs 1.2±1.6, p< 0.001). All-cause HCRU, including ambulatory visits, emergency room visits, hospitalization, and pharmacy fills, were significantly higher in those with cytopenic MF compared to those without cytopenia in the baseline (all p< 0.001) and follow-up periods (all p< 0.001). All-cause total healthcare cost (mean±SD) in the baseline period was significantly higher in patients with cytopenic MF ($4,496±8,951) compared to patients without cytopenia ($3,012±4,952, p< 0.001). All-cause total healthcare costs were 53% higher in cytopenic patients vs non-cytopenic patients ($12,826±20,395 vs. $8,360±10,897, p< 0.001) in the follow-up period. Patients with cytopenic MF also had 72% more MF-related ambulatory visits (p < 0.001), 200% more MF-related hospitalizations (p < 0.001), and 15% lower number of pharmacy fills (p=0.003), and 43% higher MF-related total healthcare costs ($8,673±18,291 vs $6,060±9,174, p< 0.001) than non-cytopenic patients in the follow-up period.

Conclusions: : Higher HCRU and costs in patients with cytopenic MF point to the importance of diagnosis and selecting a therapy ideal for managing cytopenia. This may reduce the overall burden of disease to patients with MF and the healthcare system.
This abstract was accepted for presented at EHA2025, 12-15 June 2025.

Sponsorship:: Sobi Inc.