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Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology
Published on: March 22, 2012
Association Between the Need to Change Initial Antifungal Therapy and Treatment Costs in Patients With Invasive
Barbara D Alexander1, Melissa Johnson1, Mark Bresnik2
1Infectious Diseases Division, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Background:
Early antifungal initiation in invasive aspergillosis (IA) is recommended. Changing antifungals occurs for a myriad of reasons but associated costs are unclear.
Methods:
US claims data for adults admitted for IA were identified from 10/1/2015 to 11/30/2022. Patients were stratified by those who did and did not change antifungal therapy. Adjusted all-cause healthcare utilization and costs/patient during index hospitalization and at 1, 6, and 12-months after the index date between the cohorts that did and did not change antifungal therapy were compared.
Results:
Among 1,192 IA patients, 707 (59.3%) changed their initial antifungal therapy over follow-up. The index hospital length of stay was longer (Δ = 6 days, P < .001) and costs were higher (Δ = $65,149, P < .001) in the change vs. no change cohort. Median 1, 6, and 12-months all-cause costs were higher in patients changing antifungal therapy vs. not (Δ = $90,938-$192,953).
Conclusions:
Changing antifungals was associated with longer hospital stays and costs and higher all-cause costs over 12-months.
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