Continuation of systemic treatments and outcomes for patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease in the USA
Aim
To compare secondary systemic treatment (SST) continuation and associated resource use and costs in chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGvHD) patients in the USA.
Materials & methods
This was a retrospective study using Truven Health MarketScan database (2009-2016). cGvHD patients were classified as continuers or discontinuers if treated with SST for ≥180 days without or with a treatment gap (≥45 days), respectively.
Results
Among 464 cGvHD patients with SST, mTOR inhibitors, extracorporeal photopheresis and imatinib were most frequently used. A total of 172 patients were SST continuers and 292 were discontinuers. Extracorporeal photopheresis treated patients were the highest continuers, followed by imatinib and mTOR inhibitors. SST continuers had lower monthly hospitalization costs versus discontinuers.
Conclusion
This real-world analysis demonstrates high SST continuation rates in cGvHD patients are associated with lower resource utilization and cost.