Time and Cost of Hospitalisation for Salvage Therapy in Adults with Philadelphia Chromosome-Negative B Cell Precursor Relapsed or Refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in Spain

Background Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph−) relapsed or refractory (R/R) B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is rare, and information on its impact on healthcare systems is scarce. Objective To quantify the time and reimbursement associated with hospitalisations of patients with R/R ALL in a Spanish hospital. Methods Retrospective review of medical charts identified patients aged ≥ 18 years with Ph− R/R ALL hospitalised between 1998 and 2014. Data were collected from the date of first diagnosis of R/R ALL (index) until death or loss to follow-up. The primary endpoint was the proportion of time hospitalised during chemotherapy. Reimbursement associated with hospitalisations (including associated chemotherapy) was also assessed. Results Thirty-two patients were eligible for inclusion. Their median age was 41 years, and 50% had a first remission duration of ≤ 1 year; 34% had undergone allogeneic haematological stem-cell transplantation (alloHSCT). Overall, 31 patients had received intensive salvage chemotherapy, during which there were 42 hospitalisations (mean 1.4/patient; mean duration 26 days). Patients spent a mean of 71% of the chemotherapy period in hospital. Total mean reimbursement was €26,417 per patient, almost all (€25,723) attributable to inpatient stays (€18,986/hospitalisation). From the index date to death or loss to follow-up (excluding alloHSCT-related hospitalisations), there were 80 hospitalisations (mean duration 24 days); mean reimbursement was €16,692 per hospitalisation and €41,730 per patient. AlloHSCT (n = 8) involved 18 hospitalisations (mean reimbursement €39,782/hospitalisation; €89,510/patient). Conclusion Data from this sample of patients suggest that hospitalisations in R/R ALL are lengthy and associated with high costs in Spain.