Study of patients with iron deficiency and HF in Ireland: prevalence and treatment budget impact

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pharmacoeconomics
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Iron deficiency is prevalent in heart failure (HF) patients, impacting quality of life and increasing hospitalizations.
• Screening and treatment protocols for iron deficiency in HF patients are inconsistently applied.
• Intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (IV FCM) is an effective treatment for iron deficiency in HF.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of iron deficiency in HF patients in an Irish hospital.
• To evaluate the budget impact of treating eligible HF patients with IV FCM.
• To highlight the potential cost savings and improved patient outcomes associated with IV iron therapy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective data collection from 151 HF patients (36 HFpEF, 115 HFrEF) over one year.
• Adaptation of an existing budget impact model with Irish cost and resource data.
• Analysis of iron replacement criteria and current treatment rates.

Main Results:

• 44% of HFrEF patients met criteria for iron replacement, but only 20% received treatment.
• Treating all eligible patients with IV FCM in a single center could save over €7,600 annually and reduce bed-days by 40.
• The study identified a significant gap between eligible patients and those receiving treatment for iron deficiency.

Conclusions:

• Increased identification and treatment of iron-deficient HF patients can improve quality of life and reduce hospitalizations.
• Expanding IV iron use nationally presents a cost-saving and bed-saving opportunity.
• Optimizing iron deficiency management in HF is crucial for better patient outcomes and healthcare economics.