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Healthcare Costs at the End of Life for Patients with Non-cancer Diseases and Cancer in Denmark

Author

Listed:
  • Anne Høy Seemann Vestergaard

    (Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital)

  • Lars Holger Ehlers

    (Aalborg University and Aalborg University Hospital
    Nordic Institute of Health Economics)

  • Mette Asbjoern Neergaard

    (Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital)

  • Christian Fynbo Christiansen

    (Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital)

  • Jan Brink Valentin

    (Aalborg University and Aalborg University Hospital)

  • Søren Paaske Johnsen

    (Aalborg University and Aalborg University Hospital
    Aalborg University and Aalborg University Hospital)

Abstract

Objectives To examine costs of care from a healthcare sector perspective within 1 year before death in patients with non-cancer diseases and patients with cancer. Methods This nationwide registry-based study identified all Danish citizens dying from major non-cancer diseases or cancer in 2010–2016. Applying the cost-of-illness method, we included costs of somatic hospitals, including hospital-based specialist palliative care, primary care, prescription medicine and hospice expressed in 2022 euros. Costs of patients with non-cancer diseases and cancer were compared using regression analyses adjusting for sex, age, comorbidity, residential region, marital/cohabitation status and income level. Results Within 1 year before death, mean total healthcare costs were €27,185 [95% confidence interval (CI) €26,970–27,401] per patient with non-cancer disease (n = 109,723) and €51,348 (95% CI €51,098–51,597) per patient with cancer (n = 108,889). The adjusted relative total healthcare costs, i.e. the ratio of the mean costs, of patients with non-cancer diseases was 0.64 (95% CI 0.63–0.66) at 12 months before death and 0.91 (95% CI 0.90–0.92) within 30 days before death compared with patients with cancer. Mean costs of hospital-based specialist palliative care and hospice in the year leading up to death were €17 (95% CI €13–20) and €90 (95% CI €77–102) per patient with non-cancer disease but €1552 (95% CI €1506–1598) and €3411 (95% CI €3342–3480) per patient with cancer. Conclusions Within 1 year before death, total healthcare costs, mainly driven by hospital costs, were substantially lower for patients with non-cancer diseases compared with patients with cancer. Moreover, the costs of hospital-based specialist palliative care and hospice were minimal for patients with non-cancer diseases.

Suggested Citation

  • Anne Høy Seemann Vestergaard & Lars Holger Ehlers & Mette Asbjoern Neergaard & Christian Fynbo Christiansen & Jan Brink Valentin & Søren Paaske Johnsen, 2023. "Healthcare Costs at the End of Life for Patients with Non-cancer Diseases and Cancer in Denmark," PharmacoEconomics - Open, Springer, vol. 7(5), pages 751-764, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:pharmo:v:7:y:2023:i:5:d:10.1007_s41669-023-00430-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s41669-023-00430-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Behrens, Cornelia & Henke, Klaus-Dirk, 1988. "Cost of illness studies: no aid to decision making? Reply to Shiell et al. (Health Policy, 8 (1987) 317-323)," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 10(2), pages 137-141, October.
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