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. 2023 Apr-Jun;45(2):182-187.
doi: 10.1016/j.htct.2021.08.014. Epub 2021 Dec 9.

Extracorporeal photopheresis in chronic graft-versus-host disease: clinical description and economic study

Dora Fraga Vargas  1 , Mariana Pinto Pereira  1 , Tatiana Schnorr Silva  2 , Caroline Nespolo de David  1 , Alessandra Aparecida Paz  3 , Claudia Caceres Astigarraga  1
Affiliations

Extracorporeal photopheresis in chronic graft-versus-host disease: clinical description and economic study

Dora Fraga Vargas et al. Hematol Transfus Cell Ther. 2023 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Introduction: Although extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a promising second-line therapy in the treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD), its use is limited by its high cost. This study aims to describe the clinical evolution of patients who underwent ECP therapy for cGVHD and to perform an economic analysis of the therapy METHODS: This was a case series between 2016 and 2020 describing the clinical response to ECP and a micro-cost analysis of the therapy using time-driven activity-based costing.

Results: Six patients underwent ECP for corticosteroid-dependent cGVHD The cost per ECP session is 14,960.90 Brazilian reais (BRL), which primarily consists of the ECP kit with an activator (82.78%), followed by the hospital's physical structure (14.66%), human resources (2.48%) and exams/inputs (0.08%). The number of sessions performed ranged from 2 to 42. The total cost of the therapy per patient ranged from BRL 30,000 to 500,000.

Conclusion: The response of the patient with cGVHD to treatment with ECP was variable. These micro-costing results can be used to develop remuneration and cost control strategies in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation programs, as well as in further economic studies.

Keywords: Costs and Cost Analysis; Graft vs. Host Disease; Health Evaluation; Micro-costing; Photopheresis; Time-driven activity-based costing.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
ECP flowchart.
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