Epidemiology and economic impact of moderate and severe neurotrophic keratopathy in Italy

Authors

  • Sanja Stanisic Analytica LASER, Milano, Italy
  • Alessia Marocco Analytica LASER, Milano, Italy
  • Anna Gallo Analytica LASER, Milano, Italy
  • Paolo Rama San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
  • Marta Sacchetti Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
  • Maurizio Rolando Ocular Surface Centre, Ispre Ophthalmics Genoa, Genoa, Italy
  • Augusto Pocobelli San Giovanni Addolorata Hospital, Rome, Italy
  • Roberto Ceccuzzi Department of Ophthalmology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
  • Andrea Leonardi Department of Neuroscience, Ophthalmology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
  • Rita Mencucci Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
  • Emilio Pedrotti Borgo Trento Hospital, Verona, Italy
  • Elisa Postorino Messina University Hospital, Messina, Italy
  • Maurizio Mascia Dompé Farmaceutici S.p.A., Milan, Italy
  • Lucia R Mazzamuto Dompé Farmaceutici S.p.A., Milan, Italy
  • Luisanna Prisco Dompé Farmaceutici S.p.A., Milan, Italy
  • Floortje Van Nooten Dompé Farmaceutici S.p.A., Milan, Italy
  • Patrizia Berto Analytica LASER, Milano, Italy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33393/grhta.2018.437

Keywords:

Neurotrophic keratopathy, corneal diseases, corneal sensitivity, cornea/innervation, keratitis/therapy, cost analysis

Abstract

Neurotrophic keratopathy is a rare corneal disease caused by impaired corneal innervation. There is a paucity of published evidence on neurotrophic keratopathy with no published studies on the economics of neurotrophic keratopathy in the Italian or international literature. This cost analysis aimed at assessing the economic impact of moderate (persistent epithelial defect) and severe (corneal ulcer without perforation) neurotrophic keratopathy from the perspective of the National Health Service and patients in Italy. Treatment algorithm and health resource use information were collected from a panel of nine experts from Italian centres specialized in ocular/corneal conditions. National ambulatory and inpatient hospital tariffs were applied to units of service, and Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco (AIFA) published prices to pharmaceuticals. Mean annual per patient cost was derived as an average cost weighted by the proportion of patients on each respective treatment and length of the treatment. The National Health Service + patient perspective additionally included patients’ out-of-pocket expenses. The mean annual estimated National Health Service cost of treatment was €5167 (persistent epithelial defect) and €10,885 (corneal ulcer without perforation) per patient. Costs were largely driven by ambulatory visits and hospital interventions. The mean annual estimated National Health Service + patient cost was €5731 (persistent epithelial defect) and €11,478 (corneal ulcer without perforation) per patient, including cost of out-of-pocket expenses for pharmaceuticals and therapeutic contact lenses. Mean annual cost of neurotrophic keratopathy in Italy doubles with disease severity. Further research is warranted to provide more insight especially into societal costs.

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Published

2018-07-16

How to Cite

Stanisic, S., Marocco, A., Gallo, A., Rama, P., Sacchetti, M., Rolando, M., Pocobelli, A., Ceccuzzi, R., Leonardi, A., Mencucci, R., Pedrotti, E., Postorino, E., Mascia, M., Mazzamuto, L. R., Prisco, L., Van Nooten, F., & Berto, P. (2018). Epidemiology and economic impact of moderate and severe neurotrophic keratopathy in Italy. Global and Regional Health Technology Assessment, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.33393/grhta.2018.437

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Original Research Articles

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