Abstract
Epidemiological data and information on resource consumption, costs and clinical outcomes of the care of patients (pts) with follicular lymphoma (FL) or diffuse large b-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in Germany are rare. Objective of this study was to generate information filling these evidence gaps. This retrospective cohort study (2015–2020) is based on anonymized, longitudinal health claims data. Subgroup analyses on pts with stem-cell transplant (SCT) were performed. About n = 950 annual prevalent FL-pts and n = 1.360 DLBCL-pts were analysed per year. Mean age of FL-pts was 67 years (SD ± 13), 50,7%-females. In the DLBCL-cohort mean age was 68,6 years (SD ± 13,6), 44,4%-females. The share of “agranulocytosis and neutropenia” as an example of the analyzed side effects was: FL 7,2% and DLBCL 16%. Of the FL-pts 64% had min. one hospital admission, with mean 2 admissions (SD ± 2,3) and a mean duration of 21 days (SD ± 44,7) per year. In the DLBCL-cohort 78% had a hospitalization with 2,9 admissions (SD ± 3,1) and 29 inpatient days (SD ± 47,5). Mean annual costs: FL €15.258 per-patient (SD ± 20.367) and DLBCL €23.455 (SD ± 32.892) per-patient. Mean 12-month costs after autologous-SCT were: FL €46.270 (SD ± 21.936) and DLBCL €56.558 (SD ± 45.926); for allogeneic-SCT (only DLBCL-cohort): €161.662 (SD ± 75.266). This study demonstrate a high burden associated with malignant lymphomas. A considerable number or side effects is documented, indicating a difference between the entities. Length of inpatient stay is stressful for patients and associated with significant costs. Total spending for r/r-pts who require intensive treatments like SCTs are significant. Future efforts including linkage to additional data sources with complementary clinical-information are needed.