Health care resource use, diagnostic delay and disease burden in transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy in Sweden

Hjalte F, Norlin JM, Alverbäck-Labberton L, Johansson K, Wikström G, Eldhagen P

The aim of the study was firstly to estimate healthcare resource use and direct healthcare costs of Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) in Sweden over 12 months across severity stages as defined by the New York Heart Association (NYHA). Secondary to investigate the current diagnostic trajectory for patients with ATTR-CM in Sweden.

The study was based on a stratified inclusion of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of ATTR-CM in different NYHA classes. Data was extracted from medical records in two cardiology clinics in Sweden. Healthcare resource use data were retrospectively collected for 12 months.
38 patients were included, of whom 7 were in NYHA class II, 20 in class III and 4 in class IV.

The total cost of health care per patient increased from SEK 69 000 (€ 6 800) in NYHA stage II, SEK 219 000 (€ 21 500) in NYHA stage III, to SEK 638 000 (€ 62 900) in stage IV, mainly due to an increase in inpatient stays. Mean time (standard deviation, SD) from any cardiac related diagnosis prior to ATTR-CM diagnosis was 3.5 (3.1) years.

As concluding, advanced ATTR-CM stages are associated with significant healthcare costs, as patients more often require resource-intensive inpatient care. The current diagnostic trajectory of ATTR-CM in this study was characterized by a diagnostic delay of several years.

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Annals of Medicine 2023;55(2):2292686
DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2292686