Direct and indirect costs for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are associated with substantial healthcare resource use and productivity loss. This retrospective cohort analysis used disability leave and medical claims data to measure direct and indirect healthcare costs associated with MPNs. The analysis included 173 patients with myelofibrosis (MF), 4477 with polycythemia vera (PV), 6061 with essential thrombocythemia (ET), and matched controls (n = 519, n = 13,431, and n = 18,183, respectively). Total healthcare costs were significantly higher for cases versus controls in each cohort (mean cost difference: MF, $67,456; PV, $10,970; ET, $22,279). Cases were more likely than controls to take disability leave and incurred higher disability-related costs. Among subgroups with thrombotic events, direct and indirect costs were higher for cases versus controls. Thrombotic events substantially increased direct costs and disability leave for patients with PV or ET compared with the full PV or ET cohorts. These findings demonstrate increased economic burden for patients with MPNs.