Cost-of-illness of heart failure with preserved and reduced ejection fraction in the Philippines

Heart Failure (HF) poses a significant clinical and economic burden globally. Due to its progressive and chronic nature, HF requires both continuous medical management and acute care related to hospitalization. This study aimed to estimate the economic burden of HF in the Philippines, covering both outpatient care and inpatient management.

The study utilized a bottom-up micro-costing approach to determine the economic burden of heart failure with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF)/heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) across all NYHA classifications using a societal perspective. Price data were gathered from clinical experts, public and private hospitals, while quantity and probability assumptions were derived from published literature, subsequently validated through clinical expert consensus.

In 2022, an estimated 914,892 individuals were diagnosed with HF in the Philippines, based on a prevalence rate of 0.82%. This equates to a total economic burden of PHP 80.9B (USD 1.5B). Direct costs accounted for 90% of the total burden at PHP 72.8B (USD 1.3B). Hospital and medication expenses represented 61% of the total cost-of-illness, amounting to PHP 49.2B (USD 887.6 M).

HF management poses a significant burden-of-disease for Filipinos. The annual societal costs of HF management potentially expose Filipinos to catastrophic health spending and impoverishment, especially in a system where a substantial portion of healthcare expenses are paid out-of-pocket. These findings highlight the urgent need to prioritize preventive public health interventions and enhance financial risk protection for HF patients.