Mortality and healthcare costs in Medicare beneficiaries with AL amyloidosis

Abstract

Aims: Examine mortality and healthcare costs in Medicare beneficiaries with newly diagnosed immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis. Patients & methods: Cases were identified in 2012–2015 Medicare 5% data with ≥1 inpatient/≥2 outpatient claims consistent with AL amyloidosis and ≥1 AL-specific treatment. Cases were matched 3:1 with disease-free controls. Descriptive statistics were reported. Results: A total of 249 (33.3%) cases were matched to 747 (66.7%) controls. A total of 19.7% of cases died within 1 year of follow-up versus 5.5% of controls; 30.6 versus 11.8% died within 2 years (p < 0.001). Mean (SD) costs in 1-year of follow-up were significantly higher among cases versus controls ($71,040 [65,766] vs $13,722 [27,493]; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Mortality was nearly four-times higher, and costs nearly five-times higher in beneficiaries with AL amyloidosis versus controls.