Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2025
A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published on: September 30, 2021
Comparing the cost of cirrhosis to other common chronic diseases: A longitudinal study in a large national insurance
Filip Obradović1, Dominic J Vitello2, Bima J Hasjim2
1Department of Economics, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA.
Insights
The cost of caring for patients with cirrhosis is significantly higher than for heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Early interventions to prevent cirrhosis and decompensation are crucial to reduce this public health burden.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and Gastroenterology
- Health Economics
- Public Health
Background:
- Cirrhosis prevalence is rising, posing a significant challenge to healthcare systems.
- The economic burden of chronic liver disease, particularly cirrhosis, remains poorly understood compared to other chronic conditions like heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and characterize the healthcare costs associated with cirrhosis.
- To compare the cost of care for cirrhosis patients with those suffering from HF and COPD.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Medicare Advantage plan enrollees from 2011-2020.
- Identification of patients with cirrhosis, HF, and COPD using ICD-9/-10 codes.
- Calculation of per-patient-month costs, including inpatient, emergency, and pharmacy expenses.
Main Results:
- The study analyzed 93,308 patients with cirrhosis, 355,520 with HF, and 318,949 with COPD.
- Monthly costs for cirrhosis patients ($3032.00) were 21.7% higher than HF ($2491.60) and 55.0% higher than COPD ($1955.60).
- Decompensated cirrhosis care cost $3969.30 monthly, significantly exceeding costs for HF and COPD.
Conclusions:
- Cirrhosis care incurs substantially higher costs than HF and COPD.
- Implementing interventions to prevent cirrhosis and decompensation is essential to mitigate the economic impact and public health burden.
Background And Aims:
Cirrhosis prevalence is increasing, yet costs associated with its chronic, complex care are poorly understood. The aim was to characterize the costs of care for patients with cirrhosis and compare them to other chronic diseases such as heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), for which the public health burden is better recognized.
Approach And Results:
Patients enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans from a large national insurer between 2011 and 2020 with cirrhosis, HF, and COPD were identified by ICD-9/-10 codes. Costs (USD) of care were calculated per patient-month and included inpatient medical, emergency medical, pharmacy, and other costs. In all, 93,308 patients with cirrhosis, 355,520 patients with HF, and 318,949 patients with COPD were analyzed. Patients with cirrhosis, HF, and COPD had a mean (SD) age of 69.6 (9.5), 75.9 (9.7), and 72.9 (9.8) years, respectively. The most frequent etiologies were metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (37.7%) and alcohol-associated cirrhosis (22.1%). The total monthly cost of care for patients with cirrhosis, HF, and COPD was $3032.00, $2491.60, and $1955.60 respectively. The cost for patients with cirrhosis exceeded that for HF by $540.40 (21.7% higher) and COPD by $1076.30 (55.0% higher). The monthly cost of care for decompensated cirrhosis was $3969.30, which was 59.3% ($1477.70) higher than for HF and 103.0% ($1,955.60) higher than for COPD.
Conclusions:
The cost of care for cirrhosis is high, significantly higher than HF and COPD. Interventions directed at optimizing care to prevent progression to cirrhosis and decompensation are likely to alleviate this public health burden.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not...
01:25Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS):
01:29Chronic Pancreatitis II: Collaborative Care
Assessment:
01:28Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol...
01:17Classification of Illness
An illness is a response to a disease in which the person's level of functioning is changed compared with a previous level. The general classification of illness includes acute and chronic.
Acute illness is severe...