Economic impact of neutropenia and febrile neutropenia in breast cancer: Estimates from two national databases

Study Objective. To estimate the economic burden of neutropenia and febrile neutropenia in female breast cancer hospital admissions in the United States. Design. Retrospective database analysis. Patients. Female admissions with a breast cancer diagnosis. Measurements and Main Results. By reviewing two national databases (Healthcare Costs and Utilization Project, MarketScan), length of stay and charge or payment/admission were estimated from 1994-1996. Neutropenic and febrile neutropenic admissions were longer and incurred higher charges and payments than nonneutropenic and afebrile neutropenic admissions, respectively (p < 0.05). The difference in mean charges between neutropenic and nonneutropenic admissions decreased from $13,143 in 1994 to $6913 in 1996, whereas the difference in payment was $4957 (adjusted to 1996 dollars). The difference in mean charges between febrile and afebrile neutropenic admissions decreased from $11,570 in 1994 to $2873 in 1996, whereas the difference in payment was $2390 (adjusted to 1996 dollars). Conclusion. There was a trend toward decreased charges for inpatient admissions with neutropenia in patients with breast cancer (1994-1996). Interventions that reduce the frequency of neutropenia and febrile neutropenia could reduce hospitalization costs of breast cancer admissions.