Cost effectiveness of palivizumab prophylaxis for respiratory syncytial virus in preterm infants: A nationwide population-based cohort study in Taiwan

Chi–Te Sun; Yu–Hsiang Tsao; Pei–Shin Chen; Zi–Hao Zhao; Ming–Chih Chen; Tao–Hsin Tung

Volume : VII, Issue : II, February - 2018

Cost effectiveness of palivizumab prophylaxis for respiratory syncytial virus in preterm infants: A nationwide population-based cohort study in Taiwan

Chi Te Sun, Yu Hsiang Tsao, Pei Shin Chen, Zi Hao Zhao, Ming Chih Chen, Tao Hsin Tung

Abstract :

Purpose. To determine the cost effectiveness of palivizumab through the hospitalization rate and duration due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among preterm infants combined with chronic lung disease (CLD) or congenital heart disease (CHD) in Taiwan.

Methods. The target groups of this cohort study contained 17,665 (8,055 female and 9,610 male) preterm children from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database in 2013. The eligible cases were preterm infants who were diagnosed with RSV infection. The hospitalization rate, duration of hospitalization, and medical expenditure of outpatient and inpatient services were estimated.

Results. The incidence of hospitalization caused by RSV was 30.2% (5,335/17,665), and the mean days of hospitalization was 12.86 ± 12.4 days. The hospitalization rate and duration of hospitalization for the palivizumab group were significantly lower than those of the nonpalivizumab group. Medical expenditure was significantly lower among preterm infants who were administered palivizumab. Significant cost effectiveness was observed among preterm children no matter whether diagnosed with CLD or CHD.

Conclusions. Palivizumab prophylaxis can effectively decrease both hospitalization rate and duration and therefore decreases the total medical expenditures incurred by RSV.